Malaise: Jimmy Carter Was Right

A Hyundai—best in class,

used, some version of

off-white, mostly dependable

but starting to rattle.

Kraft dinner with basil

and oregano, microwaved

broccoli, and beer leftover 

from a party left early.

A beta fish named

Joe--for the gorilla,

an inside joke with

a friend who move away.

A Moleskine notebook filling 

with doodles of robots, sad 

thoughts dressed in Sunday

best, and unread reminders:

call Mom,

change oil,

book appointment
with counselor.

A Poem for the Anxious Dogs Along 10th Avenue

Smooth and quick—the bikes pass

your window. On the main route

East to West, they float by quiet,

unheeding your shrill alarms. Hundreds

each afternoon, confident and teasing.

Pacing marathons, whimpering, paws

massaging the glass. Dance interpretations

anxiety and claustrophobia. The long wait:

for food, a leash, a miniature door within

a door? Yawning—she returns tired.

There is no empathy, only urgency

in your trembling whines. She reaches

for the leash, leaving the way open, release

from bondage, the Red Sea parts, you dart

a false charge, a biker swerves into parked car.

Circling you survey: your own brand of justice.

Fries and Butterfinger Blizzard

Reverb and beer, lyrics

written for an unnamed

you caught me unaware.

Vague nostalgia—stars

above summer camp,

the milky way, silly names

Pickle-tree and Shim-Shimmel.

Crushes and otter-pops and

symbols and codes for youth

hid underneath a balance

raspy emotive voice

over simple chords.

The song reminded me

of friends basements,

songs about break-ups,

Dairy-Queen after youth group

and every first original feeling’s

shallow claim on authenticity.

This is all to say Julien Baker’s

new album really made me crave

fries and a butterfinger blizzard.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmGVIvf8Q6s