On Hitting the Big Time and Celebrating by Diving Head First into a Swimming Pool Full of Money

Oh the pain
Oh the pain
I didn't think this through at all
I think I severed my thighbone
And there's a Sacagawea dollar jammed up my left nostril
What a dumb idea

Life

Introducing Couple A,

He laughs at what she has to say.

Probably going to stay that way.

Even when they're old and gray.

Couple B are going to get

Married, and you want to bet

Soon they will adopt a pet.

Do not mention aging yet.

Valentine's and Mister A.

Can't quite commit, so much to pay.

But he gets it anyway.

Chocolates and a nice bouquet.

Mister B. is going to get her

Hat and scarf and matching sweater

Just like his (that would be better).

With a "B", their favorite letter.

Couple A, years down the road

Mister's back is somewhat bowed

'Til he sees how her eyes glowed

He'll love her always, now he knowed.

Yesterday found couple B

On their anniversary

Sharing mugs of herbal tea.

In some lawn chairs by the sea.

Missus A is older now

With eight children (and a cow)

She'd live it all again and how.

No time to think, must cook the chow.

Couple B are older too

Shopping at (where else) J. Crew

Waiting in a younger queue.

Wishing they were younger too.

Couple A know how to age

Write your life and turn the page

Growing old means growing sage

B's think retirement's a cage.

Who are you, a B, an A

Think life's better lived that way

What would these two couples say

If they both had one more day?

Wanted

i want you to curve the bullet
i think hes ready
six weeks ago I was just like you
until i met Her
ahhhhh
kill one
save a thousand
thats what We believe in
thats why We do it

We are a fraternity of assassins
The weapons of fate
Take control of your own destiny
Join us

wanted
rated r

How The Mighty Have Fallen

The limp wrist, The blue eyes,
The tight jeans.
The crazy hairstyle
So striking.


The soft voice,
The crossed legs,
The girl's shoes.
More like the Irish
Than Viking.

A Poem About A Dog

Wiley Burp may say, “Woof, woof, bow wow”
If in danger lies his fate this day
For upon giving the Lazy Eye
All the mangy cats shall run away

My Hat

Oh I love my hat
I'm so glad that it is wearable
Oh I love my hat
Without my hat life would be terrible
Oh I love . . .
My hat!

Ho ho ho
He he he
Life is oh so
Full of glee
When I wear my hat
My beautiful, glorious hat

Oh I love my hat
There is nothing quite comparable
Oh I love my hat
Losing my hat would not be bearable
Oh I love . . .
My hat!

Ha hee hee
Ho haw haw
Life is never
Ever blah
If I wear my hat
My wonderful, marvelous hat

Oh I love my hat
If it breaks I hope it's repairable
Oh I love my hat
Just like the pearl in the parable
I really love . . .
My hat

Chuckle laugh
Guffaw snort
Any other
Hat comes short
But I love this hat . . .
This splendid, magnificent hat

Mother #6

Those words of wisdom that

She said

Were sadly eclipsed by

Her hand cupped, on his mouth,

Holding back

The vomit.

Be a Man (You Men)

A younger man looked down on me

He thought I'd met my end.

But he was more concerned with being

Everybody's friend.

I looked at him with steady eyes

He could not hold the gaze.

I laughed and shook my head and then

I told him to his face.

"You want to be a man and lead

And carry 'round your clout

And prove that you're a man the way

You always have to shout.

"Come back here and talk to me.

I'll kick you in the balls.

If you complain and cry, I'll know

you're not a man at all.

"Lead me, tell me that I'm wrong,

But do not cloy or plead

or smile, apologize or lilt,

Just be a man and lead.

"You know that I'll put up a fight,

So get yourself prepared.

You fawn and lisp, you do not speak.

Why do you act so scared?

"You bet I'm arrogant and proud,

Intimidating too.

But when you want to lead, the one

I care about is you.

"A stubborn ass you always get

whenever work is done.

If you won't be a man, you'll find

that you are leading none."

A poem by Ben Curell

Note: This is a poem composed many years ago by Ben Curell. It was written in marker on a floppy disk he used in High School. I think what first intrigued me about the poem was how it functions both as a work of art and an effective method for establishing proprietary rights over the object in question. It proves that art needn't be unneccessarily convoluted. In fact, it is the very simplicity of the poem, the beauty of perfect craftsmanship, that has compelled me to return to it again and again as a wellspring of inspiration. -NA

Who's disk is this?
Oh can't you tell?
This disk belongs
To Ben Curell