Four recent flies

Everything shines brighter in Heather’s hell
with piercing visions of uncomfortable truths.

Old MacDonald still has a farm
because society requires sustenance.
No one wants to do the work
to produce it, margins being slim to none.

Popeye cigarette sugar sticks
were the addictive co-conspirator
of Cousin Tobacco.

All love songs are children
born of apology
for exquisite romantic error.

Children despise progenitors for mistakes,
yet their college credentials claim
life is trial and error.

The man you marry regards you as a sexless roommate
after your body gives birth to two parasitic organisms,
bids adieu to its twenties.

The tenuous glue children provide this relationship
becomes hard, and brittle. When they leave,
two bewildered and exhausted strangers remain.