f(x)=4x+2

I.

The function is linear. With
each increase of a second, the
distance traveled moves west, inward,
west, a water bottle jammed
beneath the brake pedal, radio
static, velocity dependent on
time, a subset of timing and luck,
on your face embraced
in a cradle on my chest,
heartbreathing,
the raft-like rhythms never
let me sleep, never being

II.

Independent variables,
seconds (x),
muted starlings
struck with the affecting
distance per second, the moon an eggdrop
removed from home, gentle snores,
initial velocity of two meant for two,
the intercept x or y, meaningless
letters to write you, no matter
the slope increasing, decreasing:
always feels like falling
when I stop

 

(published by Columbia College Literary Review, Issue 03, April 2014)