2008 feels like
an over-exposed picture
captured on a digital camera
printed at a convenience store
loaded onto a dvd-r
a date is printed faintly on the back —
blue ballpoint, maybe —
but the neat cursive is so dainty
that i can barely make it out

my arms are wrapped around my baby sister
you can see the reflection of a flash,
but i smile playfully and she raises two pudgy hands in greeting
i peer through my own red eyes like a window,
and gray blue burns white hot in my chest

2008 has been
torn at the edges
soiled with food
dropped in a puddle
it bleeds and bleeds and bleeds
until ruby red smiles melt,
long lost to growing up