Page 171

By Jack Joseph Smith

Social Is it not better to be called a rat's ass, or skin a cat Then to be called two ends against the middle Far to midland Watch your self young: that know your good of heart The older you get the more open doorknobs tear you apart Your car listen to the stars in an alley way; or stepping outside a split level home Just Leave cheating alone

Original Scan

AI Interpretation

GPT

The poem is socially rough and darkly comic, warning the young that age and ordinary domestic life can tear the heart open as surely as public insult.

The scan-supported final insertion, 'Just Leave cheating alone,' makes the closing feel like a blunt marginal command. The collision of coarse language, domestic imagery, and private warning is the page's main pressure.

Claude

Social. Better to be called a rat's ass or skin a cat than two ends against the middle. Far to midland — watch yourself young that know your good of heart. Open doorknobs tear you apart as you age. Listen to the stars in a valley, or stepping outside a split level home — a eating alone.