Manifesto Degrees of Damnation

Most of the good ones have friends,
Have other good ones for friends,
And envy and rivalry

Only serve to seal the deal—
Here were the good ones, the gang,
Who hung out at the cafe,

Drunk and arguing, who crashed
In one another’s walk-ups,
Tested one another’s beds.

Fine anecdotes cement it,
Glue talent with coral lime,
Gossip enhancing studies,

Intimate biographies,
Of intertwined lives that rhymed.