I wasn't born a nervous man

hanging out in the bathroom mirror
polishing lies for grandma

but because I am there
and because I am younger

the naked CPA hangs the question
of my own personal future

if the whale inside of me
would only roll from the beach



Ben Gucciardi is a senior studying English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  He is currently working on his thesis, a shorter collection of poetry momentarily entitled The Ice Aged.  When not at school or work, he is 1/5%u1D57%u02B0 of the Milwaukee-based rock band Sat. Nite Duets.