Gentleman's Club

when i see the ads
on taxicabs and subway cars
advertising the Gentleman's Club
with a woman's face blaring out from it
hair gelled, fake, aesthetic
makeup slathered over her face, not obvious, but there
i laugh
and then i cry
because that is not a Gentleman's Club.
that is a Nobody's Club.

that is the place where men go
when they've had too much to drink
or they smoke, or they stuck a needle in themselves one too many times
and
i laugh
and then i cry
because that is not a Gentleman's Club.
that is Nobody's Club.

that is the place where men go
when they want eye candy, something to wet their mouths
to get excited about, without the bother of
earning someone's affection
putting effort into someone else's life
feeling something for someone
influencing another person for the better
and
i laugh
and then i cry
because that is not a Gentleman's Club.
that is a Nobody's Club.