Alternative Politics

I am twenty-eight.
We members of the Party
of Freedom and Peace
climb the three flights
in the dark building
through the chill
and open the door
with its milky glass to the
Mickey Spillane office.

We are in hiding.
We hide and conspire about
economy, hope and no hope
misery and riches.

I am 12 years old
and stealing cigarettes
hiding in a spidery
rail road hut
torturing myself with vices.