Turntail

us as semirandom planedots
in softly scattered existence
is not enough I want to turn
tail scurry back under the
security of covers where
tandem ribcage risefalls
are a meditation on that
we are together definitely
together finitely together de-
finitely together together together

Cleaning #4

I fold the Shabbos
tablecloth in half
the embroidered side
interior along with
the crumbs of today

fold it in half again
lay it over the back
of a kitchen chair think
What if I could fold
you as well

into the topside
of this tablecloth
take you home
unfold you next
Shabbos in my

own kitchen

Cleaning #3

I am careful
about which books
I let touch

each other Partly
out of respect partly
out of fear of crossed

boundaries They won't keep
to themselves, you see,
unless I make sure of it

They'd share secrets at night
be different in the morning

Mixed, you know, and unsure
what religion to raise the kids