Contributor: Donal Mahoney

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for Ulrich, Copy Chief
The Chicago Sun-Times



I have been here a month,
sitting in a circle with others,
reading copy and writing heads.
Today I'm convinced
crime in the streets
will never stop
as long as
someone can write
and someone can read.
I spell "ukulele" for Ulrich
and a strange continent of sweat
breaks out
on the back of my shirt.
"It's as big as Australia,"
says Ulrich.
At that moment I know
I'm letting another July
die in Chicago.
reading copy and writing heads.


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Donal Mahoney lives in St. Louis, Missouri.