Coronavirus Diary

These are Covid bodega rules that have been circulating for months. There are multiple versions, attributed to sites in multiple cities. LA, NY, somewhere in the Midwest. Like any urban legend, this one seems to contradict itself. (Each version of the story begins, Someone just invented this in my city! But, of course, the sign was invented only once.)

I like the particular version referenced here, because the poet--in paraphrasing--made the work his own. The many exclamation points. The way STFU just bleeds into "buy your shit" .....without punctuation. The strange capitalization of "Shoe" in "titty or Shoe money." (I assume "titty money" is a wad of cash that you tuck into your bra.) I'm also fond of the capitalization of "Motherfuckers" and "You." ("You cough, You are OUT!!!!")

We're told to write passionately and honestly--and here you have a gold-star example. One of my favorite bits of writing from the past several months.

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Liars and Saints

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