Pretty soon
I started lubricating myself.
First with an inexpensive brand
of olive oil
then ten-w-thirty
synthetic motor oil.
My goal of fitting
into crowded spaces
was semi-successful
in that people
gave me room
to pass through the gathering
as long as I did not rub shoulders.
The method of beer
wine or fermented grains
seemed popular
but too often led to
awkward morning reacquaintance
and diminished self-respect
in direct proportion to the loss
of self-restraint.
There was flattery.
I learned to spread it like jam.
My success was coupled
with the level of sincerity I could muster.
copyright © 2022 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 