#3

Competition, Elizabeth

Elizabeth:
I have to compete
with blonde hippy road sluts
the temptation of liquor
the shining steel of guns
and fights, violence.
I have to fight
against memories of war,
grotesqueries.
How can the cast off wife
shine through the dark visions
of smoke and fire,
murder and slaughter?

#2

Competition: Me
I hate you. Why?
Because you always seem
to push, to do more than you should.
I know I'm better -
I could trounce you in a heartbeat.
I know you aren't happy,
and I am.
But still all the empty things you do,
I want to do better,
more completely,
just to show you.