Kenneth Pobo

I Wanta Sing

I’m flipping through a bin of old albums
at the Gaslight Record Exchange. I’m not looking
for anything--but I expect miracles anyway.
Something fabulous might appear. I always
let it have its way with me.
Often for a buck.

This strange guy in a purple sweatshirt
and baggy gray cords stands a few bins away.
I see him put a George Jones album,
I Wanta Sing, under his sweatshirt.
I hate witnessing a crime.

I’ve gotten to know George and Gracie,
the owners--this is their life.
They’re being ripped off.

Purple sweatshirt walks out. Maybe
he needs to hear Jones, is broke,
risks jail for “They’ve Got Millions in Milwaukee.”

Or he’s a thief. He likes stealing.
I buy 5 albums, none that I want.
I don’t look at Gracie when she rings me up.

Kenneth Pobo won the 2011 qarrtsiluni chapbook contest for Ice And Gaywings, published in November 2011. Forthcoming is Save My Place from Finishing Line Press. In addition to In Posse, his work appears online at Forpoetry.com, Stickman Review, Verse Wisconsin, and elsewhere.

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