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Think of The Gallery as an art gallery of great writing from a variety of writers in prose, poetry, essay, and experimental work. We diplay the best of submitted work openly, more like a gallery than a journal, magazine, or review. Come in off the street, read a bit, take its impressions away with you. The menu to the left is arranged by latest published edition, and all authors and featured pieces organized accordingly. Check back monthly for each new edition. Thank you, and enjoy reading!
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Carl Palmer is a poet who has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Micro Award. He is from Old Mill Road in Ridgeway, VA, now lives in University Place, WA.
Don't Close Larry's
Carl Palmer
The Gallery May 2010; Ed. 2
© 2010 Carl Palmer
Don’t Close Larry’s
Larry’s Payday Loans out on the avenue
don’t ask if I even have a payday
which I do most of the time
but there’re times when I don’t
there’s once or twice been occasion
even with a payday I had to hit Larry’s
maybe not enough hours or missed a day
don’t get paid when Cecilia’s sick
be different if she had a momma home
to be there with her while I work
Larry’s may charge something extra
but I’m good for it I got my pride
I don’t need but a bit to get me by
don’t have to sit and wait no interview
explain why and what for
no embarrassment having to ask
humiliation by being turned down
don’t want my daughter’s daddy on welfare
any day now I’ll break out of this loop
hand to mouth payday to payday
I don’t go by Larry’s Loans every week
seen folks that do vicious cycle
getting deeper desperate destitute
but then the rich do the same thing
credit cards boats clothes fancy cars
some roadside loan outfits are predators
so are store cards zero down no interest
no fees for a year everyone qualifies
Larry’s is just Larry’s good for folks like me
let him be he needs to make a living too
