WHO NEEDS HEROIN
by
Erin Bealmear
Copyright © 2002 All Rights Reserved
i just turn on the television
when I'm afraid of life
i watch television
in the blue light
in decline
the dealers in the box
push junk
the child crying in the rain
prays loudly
into my heart
he's crying in between lines
in a state
of Disney beauty,
vacant eyes
that eat away my brain
when I'm afraid of life
i see the dealers smiling
promising
to wash out the static
with oil and vinegar potato chips
hurricanes
and french schoolgirls dancing disco
in living color
i'm sold
what I don't need
in a beautiful hell no one asks to be saved
you can't look away
and fuck, if you can
i don't want to hear about it
bastards
i squirm in my seat
knowing I should be cleaning my windows
with scented water
changing my oil
paying the bills
feeding the hungry
raising the dead
but no it never happens
when I'm afraid of life
i watch the light and shadow
the haircuts the emotions the je ne sais quoi
people
seem so lifelike
at the time at the end
junk is like a carnival sideshow
and i never turn from it
who needs heroin
i just turn on the television
the needleful of poison
leaves couch traces on my cheek
junk makes me believe
that Rita Hayworth saved my life
during WWII
with a hypnotist's pocketwatch
who needs Heroin
i just turn on the television
this is not a crime
relaxing in quicksand
and loving you television
television
television
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erin Bealmear's poetry has been published in Exquisite Corpse, CrossConnect, Pif, Kiosk, Potpourri, Black Bear Review, 2River View, and W.I.G. (Women in General).
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