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Hello. My name is

by Scott Kurtz

Hello. My name is Cliche'.
I'm feeling a bit over-used today.

I'm feeling a little-bit spineless.
I'm feeling a little define-less.

And I run from myself
with appalling speed and regularity.

I spew heartless prose
with utilitarian efficiency.

Mediocre to the core.
I can't feel anymore.

* * *

Hello. My name is Denial.
Just let me be somebody else for a while.

If you asked me, I'd tell you it's fiction
that I'm the first stage of addiction.

I've got you figured out
and under control.

I've truly succeeded
in letting you go.

I've put you back up on the shelf.
(I'm not lying to myself.)