The Choke Goes On

From Ben Friedlander:

AFTER E. E. CUMMINGS

“could’ve been should’ve been would

have been without a doubt but

only if that kerry kood’ve

kept his wits for one more out,”

emits the drunken sadeyed lout

And from Patrick Durgin:

I will not regret choking

but self-medicate instead.

She asked me to dance but I wouldn’t

and answered in fact that I couldn’t;

then I limped to the bar

with my head in the stars

and retrieved my false pride where I put it.