Russell Edson


The Fight

A man is fighting with a cup of coffee. The rules: he must not break the cup nor spill its coffee; nor must the cup break the man's bones or spill his blood.

The man said, oh the hell with it, as he swept the cup to the floor. The cup did not break but its coffee poured out of its open self.

The cup cried, don't hurt me, please don't hurt me; I am without mobility, I have no defense save my utility; use me to hold your coffee.