July 2000

AWARE
Glassy eyes and furry bodies on a shelf,
the menagerie not touched for weeks.
She still curls up in my lap, resting,
her sweaty head on my chest. Small hands
already adept at pinball, pierced ears
collecting evidence of impending adulthood.
Sleepy brown eyes beginning to see the humanity
in me, and god-like status fades.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Tiny drop absorbs and is absorbed.
Size and mass increased, no longer able to
grip the dirty pane.
Quicksilver
sliding
down
its course.
following existing rivulets and,
pausing,
sliding
again
until swollen pregnant, magnifying the world,
it drops.

ABANDONMENT
Trees budded out while love died.
Warm arms no longer needed that
spring was here. Abandoned coats,
sweaters, and affections. Living alone,
sweaty and naked in the heat.