odd boxes

by zen_

Posted to Action Poetry on 2004-03-12 15:47:00

Mailings,
and such
my job
as E-bastard
(Ebayer
extrodinaire)

LIQUOR BOXES
FORBOTTEN!
thru US MAIL
paper coverings
never worked

spray paint
Rustolium–
eventually dries
onto cardboard

Antique white,
never used,
from 199?
…
It’$ free.

Nothing comes
tap, tap
push
tap, tap
against the wall

Therewego!!
spray the first box,
all’s well
but the “spring action”
is broken

The nozzle won’t
return to up position
tap, tap
and it’s still
not coming
and the paint
is coming
out,
and more
still going
the top returns not
to the up position,
and it’s still coming

And the second box is now painted

And the third,

and still it’s not budging!
pigments and gasses
start filling up
the small shipping
space.

Of course, nowhere
to set still-going
Antique White Rustolium
not behaving
in the accusomed
fashion

Walking down the hallway
to the other part
of the building
trailing behind
the screaming
HISSS–
Pffshht of the can,
weaving, trying
steering clear of it’s
poluting trail
and I in my dress shirt,
cause after all,
I am doing retail

Open the door
of the former office,
I put the can on a shelf,
and walk away,
out the door.

But not.
Toxic fumes,
I’m thinking.

So I open the window,
amazed at the pure
volume of propellant
in this little can,
placing it on the ledge.

Still haven’t told
the boss
he’s one can short
on paint.