—IF YOU’RE ANYTHING LIKE ME YOU JUST MIGHT BE DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DROWN OUT THE NOISE

Before Leaving

Time has taught me

what a kiss is worth

the weight of waiting and want

that stupid insistent hunger

looking past the naked and rail-thin sky

the gaudy ripe sun

every anxious starling fleeing

and seeing nothing but a socket

where the gnats have died.

There are institutions

for people like me

jackets I could wear

straight or otherwise

manacles and shock therapy

sipping broth from

a wooden straw

as I rock and nod

rock and nod

sit and read

the note you left--

What a waste of time--

before leaving.