The first stage is denial
a false front force field
feels like a strong foundation
A liberal arts education
The cast iron skillet beneath your next meal
The merino wool beneath your wardrobe
Layer upon layer
Addition & subtraction
Plus or minus
Here or there
Now and then
There’s no i in denial
There's no I in "go fuck yourself"
that message scrawled on the wall over the urinal at Shorty's or Linda's or Bimbos, still makes me smile, 20 years later.