i have a new tie
it's red and
i think you'd like it
my coffee
this morning
was burnt and
the milk was wrong
i thought of you
as i swallowed the grounds

it's not really something i think about anymore,
she said.*
     i hate this tile floor -
smokers downstairs hijacking my sleep
with nicotine nightmares and a dry mouth
awake tastes like ash - black - i nod
- smile - as we pass each other in the halls
begin to wonder, why life
is dependent on their preferred method of death?
it's fine -
because at night
i reciprocate as i read my poetry aloud

I like people -
I like birds
bees
I like things
that make
me happy
and gleeful -

swimming upstream
I
can't breath
lately I
can't remember
I
drown

So what if the early bird catches the worm?
I'm night owl at a crow bar -
dim lighting dusty drinks and dead sets
of eyes around the room -
Barely visible -
I twist my neck again for you -
I've been working on a nest egg
while walking egg shells
I've gazed at the moonlight
And I've waited for you.

Ooooh look at you
Big red shoes - and a attitude
- a deck of cards
52 laughs - and face of paint
dry cracking teeth
You always assume the answer is yes.

It isn't how often you call
It isn't how much you spent on holiday
It isn't that you remembered the date
It isn't that you did that favor
It's not what you say
It's not what you think
It's not that you care
And it's not that you bring
Potato salad on Saturday -