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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “The End of the World” Down in the Dirt, v176 (the October 2020 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Late Frost the Down in the Dirt Sept.-Dec. 2020 issues collection book		get the 420 page Sept.-Dec. 2020 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Drying out.

DS Maolalai

like goldfish
bowled in its plastic trap,
darting at corners
and the rags of drowned flies.
life without alcohol;
the still shape of animals
which know only motion,
full of books forgotten by the bed
and Friday nights spent stalking the apartment
wall to wall to wall to waltz
in a small and humid space.
I sit down, shift, flip coins and try records,
throw myself at poems
and never smoke anymore.

they let you get
to where weakness will get you
and then they tell you to be strong.
but I know I’m going to drink again,
knew it from the first meeting
and listening to sad bastards handing out stories like spare cigarettes
and squinting at them
through two black eyes, a cracked skull
and 14 stitches
holding my forehead closed.

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