—IF I GO TO JAIL TONIGHT, PLEASE PROMISE YOU’LL PAY MY BAIL

 

 

Like an Owl

 

This morning

I find you

on the sofa

flush and wearing

only skin

But Honey, I say

where’s your robe?

Your owl-eyes stay

pin-stuck on the carpet

lips tremulous and a

dull shade of periwinkle

making me shiver

and ashamed of myself

The kids’ll be here soon.

Your head cocks

Our kids, you say

and I don’t know if

that’s a question

or confirmation

Randy and Ava, yeah.

You blink again owl-like

I don’t trust them.

I find a blanket and swaddle you

thinking about trust

love’s lank leash

the luggage at the door

the knock that’s

soon to come

the shifting limbs of conversion

memory and loss