I was well towards the end Of middle-age before I Realized I loved saying Disgusting things but didn’t Really myself much enjoy hearing Them. They Go to the heart of life, I realize (I think Everyone recognizes this), Since almost everyone Can agree: Life, so Generally disgusting. But no one really Wants to hear That much about The disgusting (except, Perhaps, those who have frozen Significant portions Of their senses of humor In the fifth grade, as I have). Those of us who love Verbally bringing up The disgusting Incessantly Are usually prevented From ever holding Truly executive positions In any organized Situation, but there are, Looking around I’ve noticed, Plenty of us Placed somewhere In middle-management. We are the ones Managing things “On the ground,” As they say, the ground Which is also where, I can’t help but bring it Up, most beasts of the field Leave Their ghastly deposits.
From The Executive Director of the Fallen World by Liam Rector, published by the University of Chicago Press. Copyright © 2006 by Liam Rector. Reprinted by permission of the University of Chicago Press. All rights reserved.