Appleton

Hooka squats on carpet, Buddha-
esque. Undulating spirals of sapphire
smoke hula up her nose. That buzz.
That buzz that slows
your blood, calls you back
to bed like a lover. Soothes your inner
asshole. BC bud. Best bud
in the world. Worth risking jail for.

High-resolution satellite images.
Narcs’ warrant executed Tuesday.
Grow-op raided Wednesday.
Dozens of firearms. Five thousand plants.
Big bust for a small town. Constable Cook says
for export, for sure. Cultivation facilities dismantled.
Straight people relieved. Green party over,
but Zoe cried. It was the best job ever.

Dope dealers pay well. Their responsibilities
included digging a tunnel under the border,
explaining black fingernails, muddy jeans came

from dirt biking at the gravel pit. Her boyfriend
sold product at school. Parents were shocked.
We thought she was on MSN, chatting. We thought
he was on the Internet, with her, boy’s father

chiding, it’s Appleton, son, not Marijuanaton.