He Thinks about His Ratings   He thinks about his ratings, and his wives, the way they always fail him. Life can be so hard, so unfair — the press with their knives   out, underlings who can’t keep their mouths shut, enemies everywhere, losers. Their lives are worthless, unfit for greatness — no guts.   He thinks about a boffo finale, a show to end all shows, a final cut. He thinks, I’ll never let them cancel me.     © Michael Fleming Brattleboro, Vermont October 2017