30.

We look at each other
we don't say anything
except pupils become beds to rest on
we don't say anything
your top lip rests its sides on the bottom,
inviting me to lick my tongue
between
I remember
in high school
falling in love with the way you talk
your chin, your lips, these
teeth
dancing for me
oh it has always pulled me
you have always pulled me
more recently, it has been with your hands
the way you talk with them
rolling your wrists, pointing
fingers
as if they are laden with magic
you can't help but weave spells
at each moment

things get complicated
this is not new for us
yet our recipe
of talking seeking understanding
holding then not saying anything
our pupils become each other's beds
(rest in my eyes
they will nourish you)
this recipe feeds us
it will keep us full
I will not go hungry as long
as you know when I'm panic
I will not go hungry
as long as you let me
feed you
we take care of each other
you cook our food
I write you these poems
we both hope they taste right
we both hope to spend the night
as us

29. Vivian

A long life
an end
San Francisco
She was 91.
remain
side-by-side beds simply
there

forget
oceans continents
a new baby
the snow

granddaughters, Kim
Karly
Katie
Kelly
Angela
the East bay

passed
South Dakota
Minnesota
Wisconsin

Across the span
a degree
from University
loving
Henry
on Haight and Divisadero
gave birth to her first child
in World War II
driving
dinner
golf
course home
hosting
for Henry's
friends, Vivian
adopted her husband
and became
great
watch
Joe Montana
golf
on television
a love
story
impossible

ashes in
Bay, joining
Henry in private
this
woman, who cared
as a nurse
wife mother and grandmother
or online at
life leave
and
click

28.

forget that you can
forget
forgetting doesn't even have
a name

it's slickening the slack
until you've got it back
is the name of
what's important.

I'm in my house you are in your
house and outside is a house all its own
since forgetfulness can't come in
the wind's already taken in and we're
smoking
can't you tell he'd be offended?
So I've forgotten your house contradiction
I'm lost keys collecting at the bottom
yet
you're never locked out
not really
ways in while you're sitting still
ways out like unformed connections
I'm gonna head home guys I'm tired time
for bed
and everyone lets out a bit of slack
release this thread
I need my attention
in dreaming tonight

27.

They say the kookaburra
laughs maniacally

my fingers sneak toward holly bush
yanking berry slide
a handful, this
littlest benediction

I like a maniac pray
with berries raining
saffron threads
towards the sidewalk

Fat pollen clumps!
the city's womb!
my earthly delight
as I step
grab
toss