we so often forget
it’s hard to move
to ask to move
ladders made
of bootstraps
no-
one can climb
as above
many splendoured emperors
piss
trickles down
save for your retirement
they say
your replacement is a robot
they say
the world isn’t fair
they say
skinless grapes pressed to their lips
half-drunk juice of rubies and emeralds
litter held aloft on
minimum wage