Without

Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

The baby was born without a head
his parents were relieved that they'd save on shampoo
he decomposed before he first said "daddy."

I wished you the best as you stepped out of my life
the taxi never found the airport
so I ordered a hot dog
my ketchup-stained shirt washed ashore weeks later.

The biotech tomatoes tasted fresh all year long
until one day the world was made of plastic.
I always liked eating
but didn't feel hungry for weeks
one day I drank a glass of salt water
& thought about you.
I tried not to.

I sacrificed cockroaches to relieve my misery
the crowd cheered as I took my medal of valor
before they sent me to prison.
You would have lost your head too
if it wasn't shoved up your ass.