I threw out two bad oranges
I listened to John Prine I packed
a month of clothes up I felt
just like you I hid my love I bought
a new truck to soak in the small
town bliss my life is an awful
mess in the love is on a roll
years at twenty-three in Sunflower
I got up early to drive into teach
on a perfect road in a perfect
country I bought tomatoes
on the roadside I danced
with the woman selling
them every morning I taught
Fanon to children I broke my teeth
in on the bar I kissed
who is now your wife I carved
a séance in the steely face
of the mayor’s hand I danced
a death dance at night I wore
Brooks Brothers and drank scotch I torched
the band hall I fired the football
coach I wrecked the truck
in the magnolia I fucked
in the azaleas I pissed in the square
named for the dead jazz
master I stole the bar I loved
my askance teeth I took
your best years away
from you and smiled
***
Favorite drink: Topo Chico with lime.
Ingredients:
1 12oz bottle of Topo Chico
1 lime slice
1 pinch of salt (optional)
Recipe: Use a bottle opener, a BIC lighter, or the edge of a counter or table, to remove the metal bottle cap from the glass bottle.
Squeeze the slice of lime into the open bottleneck covering the lime with your offhand to protect others’ eyes from the lime juice.
Once the slice has been wrung insert the lime into the open bottleneck using your thumb.
Insert your thumb fully into the open bottleneck creating a seal between the carbonated mineral water and the outside world.
Keeping your thumb inserted into the open bottleneck, and while grasping the bottle with the rest that same hand–flip the bottle upside down a couple of times.
Return the bottle to its upright position. Set it on the counter and remove your thumb from its hole.
Try and rub some salt around the rim and into the hole if you feel like it.
Enjoy.
***
Joseph Daniel Duffy was born in Gautier, Mississippi. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He now lives in Austin, Texas.
***
image: MM Kaufman
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