Kerouac

by Ryan Quinn Flanagan

Old Jackie used to spend a long time
getting ready.
He could not escape the athlete in him
and felt the need to warm up
and replenish his body 
before his next speed induced
writing marathon.       

Old Jackie would sleep for days 
on end
and eat healthy
and drink mineral water 
until the colour returned to his skin,

and then 
he would sit down to the typer 
and make the switch.

No sleep
no food
no water 
(mineral or otherwise);

nothing but black coffee
and bennies
for the next 24-36 hours.

And those words,
oh yes, 
those old America honeysuckle riptide
warble raving 
words.