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36 The Cuckold Explores the Subjunctive If I were a flag, I’d be Japan: the white of surrender with a red throb in the center. If I was a fruit, I’d be uneaten. If I was money, I’d be unearned. If I were an organization, I’d be the UN. If I were a pronoun, I’d be them. If I were a fluid, I’d be smuggled rum. In a missile fight, I bring a gun. If I was a point, I’d be moot. If I were a tree part, I’d be the hard root. Hard as I watched, hard as I listened. Hard as he leaned, hard as she twisted. Hard as he roared, hard as she glistened. Hard as the price I paid for this wisdom. ...

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