in the hospitals and jails

it's the worst

in madhouses

it's the worst

in penthouses

it's the worst

in skid row flophouses

it's the worst

at poetry readings

at rock concerts

at benefits for the disabled

it's the worst

at funerals

at weddings

it's the worst

at parades

at skating rinks

at sexual orgies

it's the worst

at midnight

at 3 a.m.

at 5:45 p.m.

it's the worst

falling through the sky

firing squads

that's the best

thinking of India

looking at popcorn stands

watching the bull get the matador

that's the best

boxed lightbulbs

an old dog scratching

peanuts in a celluloid bag

that's the best

spraying roaches

a clean pair of stockings

natural guts defeating natural talent

that's the best

in front of firing squads

throwing crusts to seagulls

slicing tomatoes

that's the best

rugs with cigarette burns

cracks in sidewalks

waitresses still sane

that's the best

my hands dead

my heart dead

silence

adagio of rocks

the world ablaze

that's the best

for me.