the market

you ignore
the stock market, give
it the cold shoulder,
avoid it
like a troublesome
old friend
who needs a loan.
you turn
the other way,
skim the paper,
read the comics,
the horoscope.
you cross the street
and don't look back.
there is no need
to know how far it's
tumbled once again.
you go visit your
therapist and best
friend, joe, you
tap the bar
and say,
leave the bottle.