I carry a small Swiss Army knife in my pocket for odd jobs and use it often, but they are a no-no at airports, concerts, sports events, and government buildings, where they will confiscate them before you can enter. Frequently, I forget to leave my pocketknife at home before I go. Once, rather than toss it in the bin, I hid one in the bushes. It was still there after the concert!

the stabbing pain
of having to leave a friend
behind

Michael H. Lester

is a CPA, attorney, and poet who lives in Los Angeles, California. His writing has been widely published in prestigious poetry journals, has been translated into several languages, and has won numerous awards worldwide. Michael’s recent publications include two illustrated children’s books, Cassandra and the Strange Tale of the Blue-Footed Boobies and Johnny and Frankie’s Summer Sleepover, as well as a book of poetry, Notes from a Commode: Volume I. A fourth book, The Squeeping Catterwhip, is now available on Amazon.