Rent was due
work scarce
plasma was painful.
Didn’t I deserve to get
paid for what I loved to do?
She had a deep sexy voice.
I nearly asked if they took deposits
over the phone.
Lineage
depression
diabetes
alcoholism
didn’t deter me.
No ejaculation for 3 days.
An expensive discharge
for what was habit
ritual.
Sperm became dollar signs.
Rack magazines on the rack.
Straight stuff
but no videos.
Pictures don’t do it for me honey.
Pictures can’t move
no matter how fast I flip
the pages.
Disposable sheets on the bed
like the kind
you find at whore houses.
Called an ex or two
hoping for some help.
My mother called with the correct info
but at precisely the wrong time.
An awkward aim
A drop in the cup
is a puddle in my hand
scooped into the cylinder
like spilled Jello pudding.
A look of disgust
and disappointment
as they shoved the rejected sample
into the freezer.
No money.
Just free condoms,
goldfish crackers
and an apprehensive handshake.
At least when you donate plasma
they give you a T-shirt.
~Edward Austin Robertson~
Nuclear Polio Vaccination 