The Blessing of Boredom

By Maxwell Baumbach

today I wondered what Mario Batali’s sex life is like

I set my head on a pillow
and was convinced
I heard opera music
echoing out of it

I imagined the tiny opera singers
in their tiny opera houses
with their tiny opera problems
deaths
divorces
disasters

and wondered if
in the midst of it all
they even had the time
to wonder about Mario Batali’s sex life

Read Full Post »

Oh What A Man

By Maxwell Baumbach

he has an anchor
that he ties to his ankle

it is not so much
to keep him grounded
it is more
that he hooked it there
and he likes to drag it behind him
because that way
everyone can see it
and be amazed
that
he managed to get
where he is
even though
he has to pull
that anchor
everywhere he goes

he has a scar
that he drew on his right arm

it is not so much
that he got cut
it is more
that he placed it there
and he likes to show off his scar
because that way
everyone can see it
and be amazed
that
he managed to get
where he is
even though
he has to look at the scar
on his right arm
everywhere he goes

he has a noose
that he tied around his neck

it is not so much
that he tried to kill himself
it is more
that he wrapped it there
and he likes to pull it around
because that way
everyone can see it
and be amazed
that
he managed to get
where he is
even though
he has a vice
around his neck
everywhere he goes

one day
a car ran him over
because
he chose to bring
his stage-show
of baggage with him

Read Full Post »

Delusional Requests

By Maxwell Baumbach

perhaps
I am not
normal
but

I want
raindrop snowflakes
in May

I want
intangible gifts
for my birthday

and
most of all

I want
no peace
in my heart

Read Full Post »