she could never
look
into anyone's eyes
as deeply
as passionately
as she could
look
into
her own.

We've been through
some tough times
You & I
I've been chewed
and pulled
and burned
and twisted
and covered
All my arteries
tangle up in knots
as you form
me into something
different
You try and
cut me loose
but I always come back
stronger
thicker
in your face
down your spine
so
you drown me
and tie me
and push me aside
see
I've known you
since I was
just a root
You may think that
I do not get the hint
but really
it is my life
to be so
attached
to you.

The sign clearly reads
NO SCAVENGING
I don't wanna hafta 'rest ya
Just don't let me catchya 'gain
understood?
Yes?
You mean yes, sir
That's betta
Now this here a nice community
folks here don't wanna hafta
look out they windows
and see some homeless man
diggin' through they cans
cause here in the good ol'
U-S-uhv-A
We have good laws that
make sure
People who have nothin'
don't try and take things
that other people don't want

"Dinner time!" The kids
shovel seconds, and want more.
Their trash could touch space

I asked if you had
a minute
you said sure
and you gave it
reluctantly
as it was spent
in silence.
I never
got the chance
to thank you
for the only
thing
you've ever given me.

I've come to know the
hospital well
the stale smells
the nurses names and stories
the hand sanitizer
the countless quiet
nervous
elevator rides
stuff like that
I could even write a full review
of the cafeteria food
should this hospital
have it's own newspaper.
There's been too many sad days
but I find myself laughing
as she shows off her blonde
extravagant wig
The doctors and nurses
Fall in love with her
her energy
her aura
As most people do
They laugh with her
And cry with her
And hope with her
People come in
They say
things will be fine
things will get better
My mom grows weary
She's heard this since stage two
They say
keep up the fight
But seen as a fight
Her getting sicker only implies
she is not fighting hard enough
that she is losing
nothing can **** hope quicker
but she shrugs it off
She doesn't need some
greeting card or nylon balloons
or some
half-assed healer
or some gurus blowing
smoke from burning sage
She needs authenticity
connection
meaning
She needs to be told things are awful
And probably won't get better
She needs complete vulnerability
on both ends
She needs real
Which is hard to find
in a lot of places
and faces
and words
an hour with her though
she would get it out of you
the 'you' that you didn't even know
she touched lives beyond
whatever I ever imagined capable
There are many ways
I wish to be like her
but most
is to be able to smile
as real
and transparent
as she did
when I am about to die.

I growl
I lack grace
I smell bad
I take up space
"It's just big fur!" I will declare
When everyone knows
It's fat under there

Despite these things
(and others implied)
A beautiful girl
Stands by my side
I growl
She laughs
I get close
And she pets me
Could this be a girl
That actually gets me?

I sit and wonder what she sees in me
It seems she could have any grizzly!
Because of her I can decree
There's still hope
For a bear like me