Too many hours of waiting mixed with the refrain from a Kid Creole song results in this:

The ranks of profligate spenders
are already filled to bursting
but baby needs new shoes—
and I need an antidote
for unrelenting blues

I think the valve is leaking
helium accumulating in the rafters
but the deeper I breathe
the less it works
and I fall further behind

What’cha gonna do when the money runs out?

—

I wanted to give a million
thanks to everyone on the record
just like Geldof
but this favor deficit means
I’ve got nothing left to give

What’cha gonna do when the money runs out?

—

I couldn’t have done it without you
I was late for this train
but you kept me going
so I wouldn’t run out of time
before my time

Now I’ve got all this time
and I don’t know what to do with myself

What’cha gonna do when the money runs out?

—

They don’t seem able to find myself
so I’ve got to stick around

I have things to do
but they’ll have to wait, I guess

What’cha gonna do when the money runs out?

—

I remember that song from a commercial—
didn’t know it was a real song
even though it was Johnny Cash

I haven’t been to as many places as he has

What’cha gonna do when the money runs out?

—

My mother had a book
by an author I’ve been reading

It’s filled with empty buildings
(from my perspective)

None of them are like this one—
either the one I inhabit
or the one I live in

What’cha gonna do when the money runs out?

(29 October 2019)

 

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Wishes sometimes have consequences—order now from your favorite local bookstore!

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