---

1 ain’t dumb
+ 1 ain’t dumb
= 0 authentic lives

---

“seeking intellectual stimulation and companionship in Chicago”

a profile headline for a dating site, August 2008

---

and they’ve never pretended harder,
to be happier,
in their marriage,

than they are right now

“she ain’t dumb.” said, the Mr.

“he ain’t dumb.” said, the Mrs.

silently, renewing those practical vows,

but

2 “ain’t dumbs” will never add up to

1 authentic life

what their calculus hath joined together,

let no verdant, regent 𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖊 put asunder,

let us now re-pronounce them:

the O’Kneels

---

and may the gods

continue to keep and protect all 𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖘 from the harm of men, from the harm of the discontented, from the harm of the covetous and envious, from the harm of the shallows and shallow, from the harm of the fruitless and the fallow

from the harm of self

&

from self-harm

amen, amen, amen

---