This Morning I’m
looking for my copy
of Reinbert de Leeuw’s
super slow performances
of the compositions
of Erik Satie
to play while I do
the work
I get paid for
but I can’t find it
and somehow
come across my copy
of D’Angelo’s Black Messiah
and put that on
instead.
And now rather than
doing my paying work
I’m writing a poem
which means
I think
that I’m coming out
both ahead and behind,
so watch out
all you fatuous clowns,
scheming prevaricators,
and exploiters of
the pure unadulterated dream
because I’m coming
for you next.

-Jose Padua

Photograph by Jose Padua