My whole life has been a joke
just how I want it, laughing
whenever inappropriate
societally. Not to be a
monster, not to redefine
sadness, grief, frustration
already a kaleidoscope of
every temporary state
of water, how every
time the sky strikes
an unlucky roll of die
to fail I laugh instead.
(originally published in Alternate Route, Spring 2023)
as we gathered to mourn
the puppy struck by a car
outside of the bank,
i was reminded of glue:
how it encrusts fingers; if
it could seep through skin
it would sleep in your lungs
& heart & hasten the path
to the common rest
they couldn’t have fastened
the coffin with glue– too cruel,
they said–
if your hand could even summon
the will to move
a square, red magnet fastens
your snow origami valentines forever
to green construction paper, tiny prayers
bottled
i hope there is another side, even when i open
the door for orange juice, cool breath of air
within, glass, it breathes, infested
with my own fingerprints, tartness
prior to the swallow
& acceptance– for as long as i am,
you are, too
(originally published in VAYAVYA, Spring 2016)
