my job on venice beach
My Job on Venice Beach
by travis catsull
my solar-powered
boom-box
keeps the chainsaw
juggler going
all day
and he
hardly says a thing,
just keeps juggling
and then
I throw a mattress
into the air
and he saws that in two,
no problem
and everyone claps
and puts some tips
in the chainsaw case
and he takes a break
so I take a nap
and my solar-powered
boom-box drifts off
late in the afternoon
and finally I just go
home and watch
Raising Arizona
on the sofa
with my girlfriend
6/99
I love it ’cause it captures a series of moments so perfectly. Unexpectedly vivid and realistic.
The mattress toss was hella cool.
And Raising Arizona is a kickass movie.
I used to hang around Venice a good deal in the late 90’s. I got to know some of the performers. Really though, this quote sums up this poem:
“The poet lives by exaggeration and makes himself known through misunderstandings.” — Elias Canetti
I agree 1oo% with that quote.
Just read the review for “A Serious” and now I see a poem alluding to “Raising Arizona”… interesting…
It was nice of you to share your mattress. After the music dies, does he take his half home or do you guys piece it together sideways and spoon?
…sorry, I meant before the music dies. I don’t think any girlfriend ever born would let you bring home half a mattress.