DOMESTIC WOE

it's the coldest winter I can remember
and my dad is sleeping in his van

sometimes down by the lake
sometimes up north on a side street

I have a new habit
of dreaming about kitchen cabinets
and flooring - not even tile, just fresh linoleum

when I need a change
I put clean sheets on the bed
I get big art books at the library
and put them on the coffee table
for three weeks at a time

my dad laughed about how hard it is to stay awake
when the sun sets at 4pm and you're living in your van

when it gets dark I wonder what he's doing
and start making dinner