"A Day Late and A Dollar Short" by David Hart br It was a cold dreamsicle night br A blackbird colored sky dripped br Rice Krispie snow bits down br On a cracked dirt ridden street br br An egg yoke colored taxi shuffleslides br by, blowing smoke rings from its rattling br rear pipe. br br I was worn out like an overused dish rag. br I sat spinning semi-circles on a br swivel stool at Joe's Open All Night br greasy diner. br br An angry cup of coffee winked at me with br Mud puddled eyes and dared me to drink it. br br A rag doll woman with shredded wheat hair br Sat sucking on a bent cigarette br Her smeared lipstick put on like a bad br coloring book. br br Two yellow bug eyed eggs squinted at me br and said they'd br like to get to know my aching heart. br br I gave a slight half smile to my br smeared redded up mouthed fellow epicurean. br Her nostrils flaired as cigarette smoke and makeup powered br fell from her boozer nose. br br This could be my 208th love affair -- br This one will last I am sure of it. br br A couple of burgers on the once silver grill br now screamed their last thoughts on life. br Another day late, another dollar short.