Not a Stub

Tiny red letters
on the back of my ticket

to see you spell out
what’s a legal

baseball game; where I consent
to have my image, likeness, actions,

statements used; who’s at risk

before, during, after the event
in case of injury. Me. What about you?

I see you sling your guitar way beyond

sport—this is passion. I’m prepared
to risk what’s between those bar code spaces

to witness this. No assigned
seat necessary to enjoy the show in all caps.

Roots System Hardiness

Minneapolis, zone 4 more so
than 5. New York City, 7. Only odd ones
get full excavation
treatment for this reassembled

world. Don’t forget tonight’s hard
working crooner, guitar
string shredder. Buy the music
for now and for another

night, for this and another
man who would put himself
back together in new time—
more so than zone.