Collecting sweat
the pool of water grows
around my crotch
enough to fill a small
swimming pool
it looks like I’ve pissed myself
and it refuses to go away
the fire in my loins
caused by a Sunday afternoon swill
I kneel
to scoop up some loose change
another penny
this time with a hard edge
as if someone tried
to bite it in half
or cut their teeth on it
testing their metal
or its metal
to see if it’s real
I add my own signature
biting down on the other side
my tooth begins to crumble and
little bits start to roll out of my mouth
spliling onto the sidewalk
someone steps on them
kicking the shards into the street
I stand there smiling with blood and gums
shining
as a beautiful women passes me up
I smile
knowing I still have a lot left to offer
at least a penny.