dark desert outside the window
peaceful emptiness
four friends inside the window
loving fullness

news that makes me cry
news that makes me smile
news that makes me warm
all the same news

I swim calmly
50 laps
before I can come out
each lap is slow
but I count honestly
distressed voices
upset voices
stern voices
I finish
too young to understand
too young to be upset

he looked tan and sad
coming back from Miami
his wife didn’t smile either
no one asked why
but he left soon after
an empty bottle of metronidazole
in his desk’s wastebasket
an old diamond ring
in his desk’s drawer
a paper slip with “Sorry.”
on the desktop

I am beautiful
pushing against my skin
from the inside

still reeling from
vulnerability
still wanting

I sprawled on the grass
motionless for hours
staring at the sky
hoping for a snail
to ease onto my toes
and sludge up my leg
but instead ants and spiders
claim their stake
I shake them off
and go inside

dark and bright
we dance

anticipation
floating
and nervous