while rome burns

i watch

the hot dog eating contest
on tv.

july 4th.

the contestants
are introduced before jamming

Nathan's hot
dogs down their throats

with wet buns dipped
in buckets
of water.

it's sickening.
one man eats 75.
his eyes bulging, his face red.
his stomach
swollen

with the meat and bread.

it's America.

the crowd roars with
gladiator pleasure.

it feels like the end of a good run.

Nero  fiddling
while Rome burns.