***** jug drips on paper tablecloth a bowl of eggs & cubed carrots your name becomes sharp and curled a dessert knife sound in three parts AH NA VEL it is only said once before the dining room buckles with cigar smoke and Versace Crystal
red caviar smoothed on bread heels a warfare of sound perfume and patterned carpet
a 92 year old woman in sequins and lipstick gives a too loud toast of CHs and Ks thrashing arms gulping a fish with crayon eyeliner after your dinner is tooth pain a bar of homemade soap sawdust broth the russian word for kiss
next morning you shift through oatmeal packs in something less than silence you miss how the words have barbed edges how their conversations were the sound of an unwrapped razor hitting the floor