Red Lobster Declares Bankruptcy

there are plenty of fish
in the sea not sustainably
ever since my father died
my mother has binged
on endless shrimp and that,
too, has drowned her

Summer (Wilting)

The wind I seek
may not exist. That’s
why I sit in Friendship Park
on a cool summer day.
Three days this week
without a drink. I don’t
know who to watch
for. I do. Anyone.
Because when I was with you
I was lonely. Now?
A leaf. All these
petals float by
in circles. I land
in a surprise of birds
and they want nothing
to do with me.

Overthinking It, All of It, Even This

I’ve said too much
I regret. Now thirty-five not slowing
down, word-wise, speed limit
living in the moment
of shame (high school
is tomorrow for all
I care) is the same
as trash night:
so excited to be rid of
undesirables.
All of it remains
in a different part
of the brain– the dump
truck returns
to collect next week.

Our Distance

and now I don’t know
if in our distance the love
carries from one island
to another in this
span of the Atlantic–
you need space I grant it
you on the gunpowder
couch and me floating on
the whiteness of my queen
bed off to the side
against the edge
just in case you want
to lift the dual-
edged comforter
and join me
in the loneliness
I’d like to lose

Opening

My root canal tooth fell out
due to indifference and all
I can think about is
this zero-degree weather.

I stepped outside to
apologize, but winter
bit my gum when I spoke.
I have not been forgiven.

A piece of me lost,
and all I can form
is a cave for wind
to whip against.