"My heart likes to start fights with the inside of my ribs where everyone loses. For weeks, my..."

“My heart likes to start fights with

the inside of my ribs where everyone loses.

For weeks, my lungs have been

purple punching bags. My stomach

is being polished into a wood panel floor.

I’m selling tickets to my own heartbreak.

Blood and broken noses are what put

bodies in the seats.

These are real bar brawls, ladies and gentlemen.

Nothing is staged, here. Sure,

there have been a few–

accidents.

The kind of hits you don’t get back up from.

But that’s the price of business, isn’t it?

And don’t you want a show?”

- THE PRICE IS GOING UP by Ashe Vernon