ICEBOUND

A bitter sprinkle of white lilts over the backyard oak,

the only indication our world may still be living.

I am stirring tepid coffee, just to see it move.

 

My ring clinks pointedly against the mug,

never phasing your steadfast concentration.

Are you watching the Earth spin out our kitchen window?

 

Come and be at ease, soldier.

Promise me we’re frozen over.

 

***

 

DEPRESSULANT

Pill, pink.

“take the whole glass, and drink,”

 

Blink.

Sip.

 

Hours gone.

so much, so little

getting done

 

No.

 

Happening.

     quicker than the spasmodic pulsations;

     the ill-rhythmed reverberations,

     contained by a pin-prickled carapace.

 

***

 

FLOATING

“Do you mind if I smoke outside?”

        Does it matter?

        Lazy nod of half permission.

“I picked the worst week to quit.”

        Quit?

        “Yes.”

Cordial, gentle, click-shut of door.

        Empty, floating

        Open-fingered caress of billowing  sheets.

Lightfooted, cautious turn of handle upon return.

        Empty, floating

        “I feel weird.”

“How so?”

        Floating, Floating

        “Don’t know.”

“That happens sometimes.”

        Let your eyes shut.

 

***

 

TYLOR’S ANIMISM

“Shadow appears as spirit.”

This means Spirit appears.

 

Shadow, locked companion,

Spirit, do not breathe.

 

Exeunt.

 

***

 

WEEKEND NIGHT SUN

The night air stings

my naked eyes

as they search

for the red glow

of LIQUOR.

 

He loops his arm

around my waist,

as always,

too casual.

Can’t care.

 

We cross the street,

brisk and silent,

to our store

on our corner

by the sign.

 

I wrap my coat

tighter to me

as we reach

the store corner;

this is final.

 

Happening.

 

His wind-raw fingers

curve languidly

over the handle,

and the door

scrapes open.