I buy a piece of Apple with a dollar.
Like I’m betting tomorrow
shows up at a banquet.
I sip coffee gone cold with time,
pretending I understand words like
dividends, portfolio, diversify.
Microsoft moves like a glitch in a machine.
Nike flies without looking down.
Callaway swings like it’s trying
to land a dart on the green.
Tesla—
who the hell knows.
I watch them like old men watch the sky.
Newspaper folded on their knee.
Every breath a prayer,
noticing the clouds and the crows.
Some days I’m up seventeen cents.
Like I’ve won something.
Like I’ve figured it out.
Some days I’m down four.
Like I’ve been reminded I haven’t.
I don’t sell. Not yet.
I’m learning what it feels like
to own a piece of noise
inside a shiny, obese machine.
If Bukowski were alive,
he’d be chuckling
beside his pool
in the suburbs.
-
Author:
Thomas W Case (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 5th, 2026 07:43
- Comment from author about the poem: My latest book, Aluminum Cowboys: Poems and Short Stories, is available on Kindle Unlimited.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 16
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15, Friendship, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments7
I love the double meaning of the first line. it can be taken both ways and still applies to the meaning of the poem. There are several such clever double meanings here Nike flies high do we mean the god or the stock or shoe. A clever and most true to life write where the house always wins and we pay to be entertained on a hope that soon disappears on the turn of a card or a bear market. Well written my friend
Lol. Thank you, my friend.
Always most welcome Thomas your poems are a pleasure to read.
I have a small portfolio. What I didn't cash in is down 80-90%.
No need to watch anymore when that happens!
Yes. I'm having fun with it.
I don't know how you keep doing it brother T but you just keep doing it better n better .. Neville
Thanks, brother.
Always keeping it real dear Thomas 🌹
Thank you, sweet Teddy.
Enjoyed. Never bothered with the Stock Exchange. Rather French-Kiss a Light Socket.
Good double meanings here.
Thank you. I hear you.
Wellsaid
Thank you.
Thomas, this really pulled me in. I love how you take something as ordinary as buying fractional shares and turn it into something deeply human. The humor is there, but so is that quiet uncertainty we all carry. Wonderful write, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you, my friend.
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