crickets and groceries
ever since the bearded dragon
came to stay

clockwork

terrible dreams bid me awake
hoping for smooth transition
into forgetfulness come dawn

that aftertaste that sours the day
knots your eyebrows
grounds your teeth

the anxiety of both real world bathed in nightmare and nightmare loaning its essence throughout your moods

curled about my neck
a three-colored cat
unassuming in her posturing
a languid paw extends to pat my arm
and stay there at length
there’s a fear in crowds
this reaching and touching
the person you know
might not know
they’re crazy
or you yourself
and all this craziness could be the stretch of an arm
a hand placed on your coat
a warm greeting

what happened to my path
it was here leading me
and now branches

i walk down through the broken shafts find the tree
split by lightning

is this how people get lost
looking for symbolism in the everyday yes
and how they are found
walking paths night and day

only a bath can get my feet warm
painfully cold all day
the heat nearly blistering now
and then just as cold in the steaming bath
socks, i suspect, will be needed this spring
my tuxedo cat braids herself between the chair in the bathroom
the clock ticks
the bubbles pop
A/C hums
so peaceful i could sleep
and awake freezing at dawn

this is air beneath my wings
to talk unafraid
or bravely
this is the way i trip
same
this is how i love
interaction
this is my anger
silence
this is my healing
closing the door

this is the end
no more time for counting
all you’ve earned and accomplished
are unchanging
you can take more but it will only count against you

there’s no balance
pushing towards a bitter credit
sequel’s coming
but who has room on the ballot?

seek for balance then
be the weight that tips
in favor of goodness
put your palm firm and decide
who you will be

through the sliver between the curtains
spring’s expanse
a holy door ajar
to rain on desert’s circumstance
these blades of reason
sway as grass
to grab these branches
and swing away