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  • Story #4,112,011: A’ight Now and: Story #4,132,011: Idioms
  • Alice Nicholas (bio)

Story #4,112,011: A’ight Now

You gon’ run into somethingone daysoonthat you can’t run away from

You gon’ learn thatburning your candleat both endsendsinthe blink of an eyebright todayburnt tonight

You gon’ step all the way out therein a minuteand find a hole in your net

A’ight nowSlow ya roll

Story #4,132,011: Idioms

Just so we are on same pageI will accept youfor youfixed in your ways and all

I will not attempt to alter younor to remove the large chipfrom your shoulder

I will not add fuel to the fireas you jump out of the frying panand when you burn those bridgesI will rock no boatsgrind no axesmake no judgments

I will not try to change your stripes, TigerNor blend your spots, Leopard

When your back is up against the wallyou do not have to lend me your earfor I will bite my tongueand throw no stonesas youcontinue to act in your essential nature [End Page 147]

I will give you room to beas pettyselfishand self-centeredas you please

And when you get in over your headI will give you all the rope you needwith which to hang yourselfand will watchquietlyfrom over hereon the opposite sideof thisten-foot pole [End Page 148]

Alice Nicholas

Alice Nicholas (Alice the Poet) is a doctoral student in the department of African American studies at Temple University. She is the creator of the 10 Million Stories series and author of eight books.

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