sushi and soup
cookies and comfort

can’t think
maybe sleep

under the house
stare out
through the vent
at a lemon tree
with green leaves
and orange lemons
freedom behind wire mesh
but I crawl the other way
to reach it

long legs
maybe naked
blurry under the water
tall fin
maybe shark
blurry in the pool
red clouds
maybe dinner
blurry under the water

an unexpected piece of mail
brightens my day

enter an old house
haunted by all assessments
oh, they’re rattling chains
oh, they’re slamming doors
oh, they’re wailing and moaning
and you feel the chills
but you say, “No scares, thanks.”
and they stop

bright smile in the sky
food with friends
laughing in line
eating with enthusiasm
dancing in the car

watercolor pencils
water-soaked paintbrush
tired but loving craft

the world woke up weird
narrowly missed accidents
too much noise
my stomach hurts
can I be back home yet?