“Three Feet High and Rising” was playing on the stereo
while me myself and I
were all settling into a sleeping bag uptown.
I was tentatively positioned near Kiri,
the latest object of my affection.

There were a lot of us on the floor.
Among the crowd was Malik,
whom I had just met.
He used to date Kiri.
He was trying to configure himself
around the many bodies.

“Is there room?” He asked his ex.
“I don’t know,” Kiri replied.
“Oh, come on!” I butted in, “if you have a chance to sleep near the beautiful blonde, you take it! Don’t be a fool, Malik!”

I don’t know why I spoke,
but Malik agreed,
and slept next to the girl that night.

Sometimes,
I am at war with myself.