Breadcrumb #573
KEVIN GU
I put on my mint-flavored chapstick,
purchased for
three eighty-nine at
my local convenience store
plastic earbuds pushed
deeply into my
deaf ears, almost
touching my brain,
but not quite drowning
out the penetrating sounds of
wooden pencils
scribbling on thin sheets of
lined paper
time’s almost running
out,
you’re this close to
becoming a failure.
I look at my receipt—
I realize I can’t read.
My lips are chapped again.