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Edward Michael O'Durr Supranowicz

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The Redneck Rodeo With Bases Loaded

There’s horseshit in the back
Of the pickups. But these guys
Wont take any shit from anybody.
No need to. They’ve already got their own.
And empty beer bottles to prove
They’re man enough to piss
Anywhere, anytime, on anything.
They’ve got their baseball caps
And cowboy hats to cover bald spots.
And new tires with lots of tred.
Buy new ones every six weeks
So they can burn rubber at the lights.
They’ve got their belt buckles immense
And belts cinched one notch too tight
To help accent their strut and swagger.
They’re ready to spit whether
Or not there’s tobacco in their mouths.
They walk with their fists clenched
So you know they are ready to fight.
And never know how empty their hands are.
They’re ready for the rodeo, but
Their horses left then for another man.
They’re ready for the major leagues,
But no scout comes to watch their performance.
They’re ready and let everybody know.
If you don’t think they are ready,
They will show you by throwing a
Curveball of hate behind your back.
Or will bounce up and down in
Front of you like they’re riding a bronc.
Don’t say it looks like a tantrum.
They are ready for that, ready for anything
Except for the notion that manhood
Might require growing up and admitting
They are afraid of everybody, everything,
And can’t pitch or ride worth a damn.

 

Dedicated to Tank Schrader and Local 456 S.M.W.I.A. who increased popular demand for the above poem by banning it at the writer’s workplace.

Page(s) 173

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