Lottery Tickets and Fake Shits

The speakers
blare 90s hits about
soaking up the sun
and living in the sun

I check losing lottery tickets
and fill the cooler
while outside young money
slips on ice

it's a kind of paradise

I ask my boss for a bathroom break

she scowls and says "go ahead"

I sit in the stall
and plan my next move

a long sigh
then I flush for appearances

when I get back
there's a man standing at the register
he has a dirty White Sox hoodie on
and bedhead hair

he gives me his instant win ticket

"I know I keep getting taken," he says

"but I just keep playing."

NOT A WINNER
the screen flashes

I tear up his ticket
he thanks me
and walks away

off into the ice

off into paradise

thinking
one day
maybe

© 2011 Lee Kitzis

I'm Changing Bartenders

I guess you were looking for a poet
who quoted Strindberg and Shakespeare

and were probably pretty disappointed
when you saw me on my eighth PBR
watching the White Sox/Astros World Series game
and swearing under my breath

I guess you thought of classical music
and men w/ five o’ clock shadows and peacoats

and were probably pretty disappointed
when you saw me in an Eddie Bauer jacket
swearing at the pitcher and burping

and I’d like to think
when I got up to pee
for the fourth time
in one hour

you told yourself
you’d keep looking

but I am a poet
like you’re a bartender

this is the best drink I’ve got
and that is really really sad

© 2008 Lee Kitzis