(Hear the audio.)
Dishes
i look—
the plated carcass
chicken breast starchy
entrails soaked gravy blood
take it in dishrag
in proper measure your pain
chlorine realism yellows
whites but leaves your stains
to remember
why did i have to see you
that way
dragged out of bed
at midday
stringy face and
broken-out hair
even leaving me
a Judas kiss
“take care”
i looked—
your string was strung
out, christmas lights
out-of-season
part digested thoughts
with leftovers of you
unfinished by whatever
pill or man
last ate you
then i learned to
cry
so calmy patient
my teacher
you looked—
staining me as i was wrung
and bitterly dry
