Two Poems
Brian Beatty

Burden of Proof

I'm not going to confess
I did it

or that I didn't
but sat in homeroom

w/ the culprit
throughout grade school.

We never dated.

My lawyers
doubt cooperation

above & beyond what
I just accidentally

let slip could do anything
more than undermine

my case.



The Interview

I tie on my noose
& get down

to business
just like you.

I cue up in line
like everybody else --

awaiting
my turn

at the urinal
whether I need to go or not.

I don't complain
about the fluorescent lights,

the seeds polluting
my air.

I could.
But I'm as professional

as the next guy,
America.