From the collection published in 2021, And Don’t Come Back.

In Parallel and Concurrent

i.
how long is he staying
when does he plan to leave
don’t we have enough trouble already?

ii.
He was standing by the window.
Something was always faltering
disconnecting
being laid aside
in that room.

iii.
The knitting needles twist
filling in patterns
gathering up fragments
not taking the slightest chance
of misunderstandings.
Good morning, she said.
Gentle. Jarring. Sinuous.

iv.
The loudest sound the silence
painted in delicate small strokes
a gleaming white incomprehension
going in the wrong direction
wondering what was coming.

 
v.
carelessness
possession
wanting to provoke
provoking
Because, you know, all the time
all of these things
run in concurrence
in that room

vi.
You didn’t say very much about your plans
you know

vii.
It’s quiet.
All quiet
in that room.

5/14/20