Today is a sand paper day.
That wood could be
as sensitive as this
makes me feel more
sympathy for the tree
that became a table
or chair.
Becoming is rough.
(Being is tough enough.)
Today is a rug burn day.
The kind your brothers gave you –
You remember –
Skin, heart, mind, spirit pulled in
opposite directions until
it stings.
Loving is rough.
(Living is tough enough.)
I was
hula
hooping
and it felt
like I had a belt
in orbit.
For a moment there
I was Saturn.
I closed
my eyes,
I smiled,
I traveled
ringed right round
with stars.
I laughed
when I felt
and saw
my soul
press against
the glass of my skin
and smile.
I had my first dream about you last night:
I got the news that you had been mauled by a bear.
And I heard myself asking the question:
“Is he alright?”
And I knew that couldn’t be right.
And then my mind said:
No, it wasn’t the bear.
The bear was just the last thing
in a whole series of unfortunate things.
But that’s how it went.
That’s exactly how it happened.
Now, when someone asks me
the inevitable question of why you’re not here,
I’m going to tell them it was just the last bear.
