What, me paranoid?
You bet my sheltered life, buster.
I need no reason,
Save that bad things can happen to anyone,
As everyone knows.
And though I'll resent
If you confuse me with just anyone,
I accept by extension
That bad things can happen to me.
Call me neurotic, but I'm fully expecting
Some winged evil, or at least an armed robber
To come calling through my window tonight.
I think perhaps I'd best keep on the light--
Only that can start fires, more deadly than robbers;
Also more costly.

Each closet inspected, each window locked tight,
I'm safe from invaders, except maybe ghosts
And other marauders wandering Logan at night.
And this, dear friends, is why our Housing folks
So wisely insist
On keeping children of my tender age
All snuggled together in an 8 by 12 cage;
That way, we face the Sharp Avenue creeps more bravely, you see,
While getting hooked on cheap cable TV.
But the conspiracy, though more fun, must be for later
As my paranoia and I settle in for dreams of disaster.

July '03

<-Instead of a Scream

My Work

Days of Glass and Blades->