TWO POEMS
Jan Beatty
Why I Don't Fuck Intellectuals
driving the curves of the river in my old chevy— banging my hands on the steering wheel singing Back in Black (still hot after Bon Scott) air heavy with the Allegheny/ open with love for my baby— all I want
Outside the Carnegie Library, 2008
she said he wanted her to bark like a dog, she needed 20 bucks for the shelter, 8 months pregnant—she wouldn't do it. white guy over there, she said. as far as i know, i'm a free woman, she said, people don't have to do things like that no more. I gave her the money, said I was sorry about people like him. when my friends and I met her next week, different spot, same barking story, different white guy, they gave money. mad at me afterwards. why, they said— (she's still out here barking) at least she's working it, I said.