June 25

Jacques Cousteau
died today
and yesterday
Brian Keith shot himself in the head.

Uncle Bill had emphysema.
He told Jody
the cure was worse than the disease.

Something poked a hole in the space shuttle
and CNN says
the astronauts have to drink their own urine.

Well, I’m in Baltimore
shooting Species II with a lot less problems.
Of course, if you didn’t like Species I
or the Earth getting hotter
or the oceans getting polluted
or the trees getting cut down
or killing babies at the prom
and the disintegrating society
that lives through the lies
or the media…
or that Al Gore says
my grandchildren might have to live underground.

Thank God for Valium!


Michael Madsen, The Complete Poetic Work of Michael Madsen. Vol. I: 1995-2005