Versions of If

3.0

Two weeks was all I had to determine where I was. Plain brown bag or colorful cellophane wrapper. Two weeks and then everything would be shopping malls again. Shelves and shelves of nothing expensive enough to want.

3.25

These paper eyelids let everything in. Every backward word is there. For me to misinterpret. The rain is mute. The sidewalk is deaf. Any time I go somewhere.

This broken zipper still has teeth to chew.

3.5

When I go out there it's always Sunday. Prozac prayers wet gods' lips. Pocket change bites their tits.

3.75

Pretty girls never know they are. The ugly ones always win the pageants. Truth is a negotiation.

4.0

But only if. You have something with which to bargain.