Ten Attempts Poem by Daniel Kline

Ten attempts at mediocrity, I haven’t got a page.
Nine pedestrian passages, empty fits of rage
Eight fragments, contrived, stilted and trite
Seven cigarettes, that burned throughout the night
Six tremors, murky dancing depression
Five attempts, to settle my obsession
Four lines, throw caution to the wind
Three girls that have lived with me in sin
Two times I thought I got the jist
One time I slit my wrist

(April 2007)