The fifth element is a pearl, like
the ones you find in clams. The ones
that are like the world. Or
so the man at the bus stop said.
A few quarters will buy you wings,
so you don't have to take the bus
anymore. But toss away your pennies
so one day someone will show up
with a bagful of brown and
copper asking, “Can I marry your
daughter? This is my bank account.”
And all this was worth it, the man
said, because I made you fucking laugh.
You'll go home, take a shot of rum,
fucking laugh, and then study.