LIFE PLAN

every January it’s been cuticles

now sleet on skylight

tiny clicks, dry hands

let’s have babies in 2 years

ok - let's -  

but if you're a purpose person

and I'm a tangle alien

but if you're a justice bambi

and I'm quicksilver, gremlin

or if I am cold cold bread 
if you are perfect toast

      I’m not saying I’m not anything

or not enough

or not perfect, even 
for you

just islands islands

islands islands 

ricochet rockabye

and you still right

on track

Good morning construction site

You'll know it's time when the whole floor shakes
The mugs in the cabinet clink together all on their own 
And you're gently lulled into something like sleep in your queen size vibrating bed

Ocean State

I miss standing at the edge of the sea.

The foamy carcasses of now-rotting seaweed that

dogs always take such care

to smash their furry hides into.

Delicately dabbing a bit of

seagull shit on top, too.

Plovers popping up

and down the shoreline,

losing their games of chicken against

the tide’s rolling belly-laughs.

Water muting rocks clattering and

every once in a while–

a tinkling of blue or even

purple (anything but green or brown)

glass that has traveled

maybe miles, maybe feet,

through salt and sun to find itself

tucked up under this patch of drying sand,
softened and rounded
by the dark, full ocean.

Soft Spot

From the crow's nest, a crow's nest myself,
carpet bunching up softening features,
the tilting head, lolling
bringing the road to eye line
cross hatching me,
various routes so I must find the jam of the world now,
a road for each shoulder,
I am alone with taxis
and we're are alone as we consider
by whose standards should I give up
answering the question of last year's waste.

CATS and DOGS

While listening to CATS the musical on vinyl
the dog watches suspiciously each time
the needle moves on its own
Deep sighs as she relaxes
I am coloring  this dog selfie coloring book for adults
That is supposed to make me feel less anxious
then the dog scares the cat
And the cat jumps on my back
drawing blood as she scratches my left shoulder
A blank stare at my scream
before she splays herself out on the kitchen counter
Where she knows she's safe