what can it be this new thing /
if it only took up space in the garage /
or crowded out native species in the garden /
but it is here knowing its now /
digging tiny little holes in the distance
between to and be /
how to push it over the side /
with five-fingered hands only /
wait for the roar of the falls at the end credits /
to press it into stamp-size passing
too much space is /
what binds us twist-tied /
into a gentleman’s knot /
from founders who weren’t fathers /
except when the crafted contract /
unintentionally seeps into rowhouses centuries late /
bastards us all /
they only leave messages now /
expecting notes on their birthdays /
a country’s promise as rigid as a commissioned portrait /
on occasion, when the din closes /
something monstrous swirls in the great lakes /
uncurling its many limbs /
testing a reach from shore to shore
so far from the shelf that is the I /
dear reader assume everything about motive /
the exit is more clearly marked that way /
after the rags are wet with gasoline /
when a light dinner was promised /
it was always the light from the engulfed block /
illuminating quiet time to posit /
keeping the hope of the passing of the world near
tuesday there’s a credible crater /
in the room that also holds /
service staff counting the /
whites of their uniforms /
it’s possible to scrape more /
out of the crater with /
today’s event’s cutlery /
the crater as a dome /
flipped for those named /
without tiny text pillars of trademark /
absorbing light from /
strained fluorescent tubes /
dangling overhead
so so son /
exclaiming fait accompli /
at the parental reveal /
don’t blame yourself /
the planet came with a fault /
that upright spine that divides /
us all
last night, the oxygen left /
leaving only pollen, dust /
and a puzzle of leaves /
the widower satisfied forever /
sweeping birthday sparkler ash /
into small piles an average /
stride apart
never and always the stone /
blocking the driveway I was /
given weight and air early /
what is true is a poison not spreading far /
drawing a shadow outline as /
cadence and delivery are practiced /
will consume us all, not /
there yet but proximity flashes /
again illuminating fully the /
waiting room
there is running over the bridge /
as fast as possible with legs given /
posturing for the uneven grade at the end /
where city planners dish out breakfast /
to a line of one repeated with careful anonymity /
lest a name be pronounced with all its mass /
speak with speed like a guillotine /
flashing in noon over the reservoir
so is the earthquake /
swinging us to sleep /
shaking tinsel off last year’s tree /
jarring wax in the ear /
to return traffic percussion /
and emergency vehicle fanfare /
just the avalanche /
skating over our home peak /
scouring shingles to a roof of pearly whites /
ceiling smiling at the sun /
after the quiet thaws the mountain’s deep roll /
daisies and buttercups drink up snow /
and human melt /
another fresh day waits to be filled
where be thy stink, post? /
limbs flake off as unexpected /
breath pillows backwards up the tender neck /
and to talk is minor explosions life-wide /
keep the me deep in the “of course”/
winding through every escalated promise /
lowered from the cloud on pristine cafeteria plate