How to Pick Up a Man While Selling Chips

1. Start to think you're really hot.

2. Wear your hair up in a makeshift bun after attempting to let it air dry, which it never does. Brushing optional.

3. Tell him he can refer to you as "Chip Chick" or "Sassy Lil' Mama."

4. Only wear minimal make-up: base, mascara on the upper lashes only, eye shadow, lip gloss, and a little pencil.

5. Wear the company provided biker looking black non-slip boots.

6. You're a size 6, but put on the size 8 khakis so you look slimmer than what you really are.

7. Pretend you're not the slightest bit interested while staring at your handheld computer.

8. Try to turn him off in every which way: swear like a sailor, flip the bird, tell it like it is and tell him you can only accept "diet" drinks because you're watching the girly figure.

9. Offer to listen to his problems, nod, and say a few encouraging words as if you're really interested.

10. Always, always, wear the padded bra, even though the twins could really use a minimizer.

Orange Peels at Night

The scent of burning citrus
against the black sky
full of musky silence
and sticky cobweb like film

I'm running towards you
backroads full of stunted palms
overgrown crabgrass
and hidden scenes of despair

The sounds of Kenny
singing about wine
in two dixie cups
the thoughts of your love
filling the vessel inside
a new-found addiction
comforting an over anxious soul
fighting for something she can't yet see

You open the door
without the sound of a knock
sensing my arrival
seconds after the final call
telling me how and where to go
almost lost
like my heart
in an entwinement of skin, lust and feeling
of finally
this is it

So easy
So free
So long gone
like that scent of orange peels
burning in the night
just a forgotten mist
of invigoration
and promise of an inviting dream

Now awake
the phone doesn't ring
and your voice is only a recording
stored away in a box
sitting on a dampened floor
wondering if it should be replayed
or left to collect the dust
that will soon accumulate
once the sunrise's rays
begin to shine again