apple, sink

>> red ink swell swirl
meaningul as fat glob
of words, like painter
paints a tree, not to mean
something, but just to be
a tree, to say, look at
this tree, isn't
it swell, and not mak ing any
hinting hand ges tures  or
surrounded by t hin ly
veiled symbolism,   but
simply to be a tree and be
happy to be, and inside maybe
                                 an apple?

>> spit fishing -- finnicky in harness -- mouthwash
demon, Nile dream harasser, pressing through
tongue and juicy gum, still tasting of gin and
tonic, rude little creep slips between molars to
mulch his garden -- Black Soldier Fly larvae, fat
and grubby, hatch and buzz through sinuses,
asleep but already running, engine on, constantly
rebuilding, flossing, sweeping out the mud, dumping
compost down the drain, to plant tomatoes under
                                                                the sink?

a good life

stable, comfortable, good-paying job. chance to sleep in, closed door -- able to sit. and think. summer, followed by spring, followed by summer. new pillows. freshly laundered linens. back sweats into seat of sensible car. sunshine burns crotch through dusty windshield. whole wheat. evening jog once a good week. scoops out chunks of avocado. buttery green meat. settled in. vegetable scraps rotting in garbage disposal. spins blades. glances at fingernails. still afraid of bees. maybe cross into oncoming traffic, maybe collide with palm tree. bright screen apple. cloudless blue sky. smiles at thought of silly word. wakes up -- slow start to day. wrapped around rumpled blanket. sunshine filters through curtained window above bed. not yet moving. flaky nostrils. eggs over easy. nighttime city, blinking neon glamour, bodily fluids in gutter. headaches. minimalist conversations with coworkers. sunny, warm, gentle breeze from ocean. therapeutic coffee. plans for weekend brunch. says hello to strangers. rare bouts of anxiety. calm. not necessary to check bank account or weigh produce. makes bed daily to accomplish one good thing. old spells fading from memory like not-written-down dream. comfortable, quiet, not easily upset. bored, tired, tightness in shoulders -- old dog, lazing in sunny yard, surrounded by puppies.