TENSION

"we have up-
graded you
to a suite,

complete with a soaking
tub and a dramatic
balcony." "sweet,"

you say, accidentally
cute, and the girl behind
the desk shoots you

an eye-roll, over-
laid with feigned amuse-
ment, but really feeling

every bit of the surface derision
that cannot be hidden
beneath her expression.

LOSS

you wonder what
could be worse
than fever

dreams that appear
as flaming ghost heads

spinning
neck-defying
circles above your bed.

until an answer like
death itself arrives
in the form of an absence
of relief: you will never again be

fully asleep. it’s time to start
praying for keeps.

THROUGH AGING I BEGIN

through aging i begin
to resemble myself
wearing a costume of myself --

skin one size
too big despite

the exercise --

and even if the man inside

stays fit, the suit is worn smooth
and losing its shape,

or maybe just can’t
remember it.