February 24

Could it mean something
that today

everyone was singing?
the kid the chef the drunk

man on the corner
hands raised waiting

to be raptured for an hour
The chef had the words

but not the tune
arriving at work

just as I was leaving
the drunk had the voice

but distance muffled
his meaning

the kid went
I need you

I need you
more than anyone

darling before rote
memory gave out

and red-faced
he caught me listening

but if anything
these days I am

the longest hallway
the openest window

the painfullest silence
so build me up

build me up
Buttercup

don’t break
my heart

OPTIONAL POETRY