By: Alan Berger

I have never been one
To want to ascend to the elite
For more days than some
I’m lucky for shoes on my feet

Even when young
In The Village doing poppers’
I never had a hat hung
On the title, comparative shopper
Yet there are the times
I have gathered the left behind crumbs
To add to my sunken funds

And I did get me fed
Clothed schooled and read
And when my daddy died
My hair went to dread
I’ve seen friends bored to death
Begging for that last breath
But when it finally shows its face
They can’t be found anyplace

I don’t need that invite
And it ain’t because I ain’t willing
I’m just not ready like Elvis
To leave the burning building