Heard the term on a travel show. A native in Amsterdam took the host to a cafe, and ordered something. She turned to the host and said, 'That has no translation in English. It more or less translates to 'coffee incorrectly.'" Dunno why, but I like the term, and tried to undercut the awkwardness of it by putting it in quotes the first time its used, hoping to make it seem more like a specific item on the menu...

touche. tho it's not meant to be disparaging towards business. He's still talking about this girl he's supposed to be dating, segues into a mention of his astronomy class, and decides he should stick to business school. He's scared of women--has nothing to do with business, really. English majors might say the same thing.

God knows what astronomy majors run to when they feel threatened. :-)

Not entirely sure of what you mean... I mean, I simply meant that a waitress walked up to the barman and and asked him to get a bottle of zin, a scene i had observed several times while hanging out with a friend of mine who worked at a crappy bar. If anything, I kinda meant the emphasis to be on the waitress noting that there was nothing in the glass, but serving it anyway because it was not her place to question what other people choose to consume. Maybe I should reread with your question in mind...

It really wasn't written to be novel or new or the next 'howl' so thanks for reading it on its on terms.

No fair. I've currently got 'the best poem' on here but you've got a bajillion in the top 20. I think you're the reigning monarch of poemranker.

Thanks. At least I'm good for writing something.

hey--thanks, really, for all the thoughts on this poem. I posted it in july and kinda forgot about the site--suddenly i'm getting responses about it. I think the poem needs some work, and know it's not The Best Poem Ever, so critical input is appreciated. Plus... i must admit, if it inspires anyone to think about it longer than it takes to read it makes me feel as if I've managed to get SOMEthing across.

Thnx, Autumn. Perfection is a stretch, but so long as u liked it...

"Finally, something on the best list that deserves to be there. Well, at least until some anonymous fucking idiot knocked it off. *sigh* Oh well, one day all will be right."

Eh. Anonymous gets a lot of poem-lovin, some of it deserved.

...and greatness has nothing to do with length.

thnx

In retrospect, it could've been more clever. I quite like the 'artificial sweetner' suggestion for contemp lit, tho I think decaf would be better than real coffee.

Wow. Thank you.

...and, in this case, diet dr pepper.