he’s known for climbing into bed w/ editors
got frands in low places
went on a trip & caught a disease
spread by bats in crevices
thirsty & hateful he needs help
to me “ deeply unserious ” is praise
waking up w/ musky fingers, was testing colognes
my fits characterized as asshole u envy
this is where u place ur bets
on hot days it’s difficult to focus
till love springs up to meet a need
midnight boat ride fulfilling some desire
fucked up
chewing on styrofoam
other things in this poem: dirty glasses, empty containers,
sontag’s notes on camp
that french tendency to wish things out of existence
judas goat ??? ur judas & i’m the GOAT
if i get ur voicemail i will keep calling
be a pet, won’t u, ur boyfriend is for the streets
that’s my personality: stuffed tiger, scorpio rising
the entirety of it chipped away like bits of glass
we make ourselves excuses
tell ourselves little lies
simple spud
lifeless dancer
the student becomes the master
MICHAEL CHANG (they/them) is the author of TOY SOLDIERS (Action, Spectacle, 2024) & THINGS A BRIGHT BOY CAN DO (Coach House Books, 2025). They edit poetry at Fence.
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