1
The apartments had probably been built back in the 70’s when the country was going through some ugly social times. Maybe the country was going through its adolescent phase and breaking out with a bad case of social acne. Cheesy professors were running around the country proclaiming “turn on, tune in, drop out.” A mean-spirited drunk from LA was cranking out poems about the low-life and reaching for another beer out of the refrigerator on stage as part of his performance. The porn industry was in its golden era. People proclaiming their individuality and uniqueness were all dressed the same. Mothers thought they were educating their kids by letting them watch Sesame Street, but they were just turning their kids into TV junkies and a future generation of pudding heads with blank faces ready to believe anything on the lamestream media. The Vietnam War eventually came to an end after Laos was clustered bombed, which had nothing to do with ending the war. Dominoes didn’t fall. A new war memorial went out for bid. Some crazy scientist found a way to make clothes out of chemicals - polyester. Dwarfs found their favorite hangout - the disco. The whole country seemed to be dancing to the disco beat, hypnotized by the flashing strobe lights off the big, shiny ball.Robert Hobkirk
2
Hard rain after darkwe slept in a driftwood hutocean snored all night.Robert Hobkirk
3
She ordered white wine, and I ordered Schweppes tonic water without the booze. The drinks came, and I took a hit. The first thing she said was, “I don’t know how you can drink that stuff straight?”“ You mean without the liquor to kill the taste?”“ Yeah, it’s so bitter.”“ That’s what I like about it. It’s bitter like me. We match.”“ You mean you’re a grumpy old man?”“ Right. Can’t help it. That’s what happens when you get old.”“ Well, I’m an optimist.”“ I’m an optimist too, just a grumpy optimist. .Robert Hobkirk
4
Wishbone Half-eaten chickenlying on white serving platequartered potatoeschunks of carrotscelery toowe tell storiesand laugh about the dayyour little finger is locked around the wishboneso is mine I pretend to make a wishclose my eyesmumbling my lipsthat’s the way I faked out the nunspretending to say the rosaryso they would leave me aloneyour face is so determinedyou win the wrestling matchlifting your piece of chicken bone above your head in victory I know better than to askwhat did you wish forsecret desires of the heart are not to be sharedorthey won’t come trueeveryone knows thatyou clean the dishes I turn on the TVlying on the couchlistening to you make musicwith running waterand closing cupboard doors.Robert Hobkirk
5
Huh, ” groaned Father Gabe. “I sympathize with you, Tommy. Relationships can be a crap shoot. You think you’re going to roll a seven and up pops snake eyes.Robert Hobkirk