The War on Drugs

angry trees
demonstrating around
the world
just how alive
you can be, cynical
shrimp, wise
shoppers congratulating
themselves,
thinking they haven't
bought into
this life business
yet, but since
they're already part
of the show
they're so addicted
to oxygen
they're unable to
remember
what they were
arguing about
before the tree's
ferocious sales
pitch.



by Thax Douglas


Thax is a legendary Chicagoan poet-laureate who writes on the spot band compositions to introduce bands. We had the pleasure of having our set at Schuba's (4-5-09) open with the preceding poem.