the karma boomerang in poetry

this is my favourite story about me that I was not present for ever

my friends Ilio and Rosa were at a show somewhere
somewhere west of here, I think, I don’t know
I have intellectual glaucoma about the space between Syracuse and Rome
I know that Sylvan Beach and the Casino are out there
other than that it’s all just a blur
anyway

Rosa had known I’d worked as a grunt in the movies for a while
the handful of years I lived in Southern California
but was unaware and was tickled to hear
I’d been an extra in a movie that got a wide release once
this being the future, of course, Ilio pulls out his smartphone
goes on the youtubes and shows her the scene
they talk about how kinda cool that is

some guy overhears their conversation
goes “Are You Talking About Mike Cecconi?”
they’re like “yeah”
he proceeds to go on a rant about what an asshole I am
how he’s heard me do my parodies and my poetry
he thinks I’m annoying and a jerk
says I ruin the mood on music nights
now they’re nice about it
they say “look, he’s a friend of ours”
but he keeps going on about
how I’m loud and annoying and stupid

Ilio pulls up the scene on his phone again
says “you mean this guy?” and hits play
the guy goes quiet for a moment, thinks about it then says
“OH GREAT” he says “NOW HE RUINED CLERKS 2 FOR ME TOO!”
and

I’d love if people would like me
would like me and my stuff
but if you don’t like me
I’m happy my presence
will ruin your joy
though my association
because hey
screw that guy

Last updated January 24, 2015