The Scattered Crumbs
of Lemon Loaf Cake
brush off My Black Lap
like a speckling of stars
& down The Cleavage
of My Tattoo Sweater
like Those sucked inside
My Very Blackest Hole
INDUCTING THE BLACK SWAN
I have seen The Post Card
from Tommy of Mexico
wilted on My Daughter’s Mirror
across from Her Bed
where I first met
The Boyfriend of Currency
–
Today I do The Laundry
Dressed In Black:
Black Tank, Black Capris
with My Silver Necklace
& Silver Hoops
–
Hunter, My Practising Husband/Doctor
may not go to Work
tomorrow
and I may not
see a friend
I just woke from a dream
of being hurled to a prison floor
with My X Husband’s German Shepherd
lying on Me, peeing on Me
so I couldn’t get up
I couldn’t call to that dog I once cared about
Someone got Me out
assigned Me to a Shower
when I stood before Her
I announced, “This is because of dog urine”
She said, “You danced all night once in My House”
The Shower was open to a room
filled with teenagers giggling and watching
as I stood naked
under a series of levers,
some of them broken,
I chose “Stream”
and was assailed, blasted
and again could not breathe
Someone chose “Rain”
and that was better, lighter
but then Someone made “Iridescent Bubbles”
pop out of a circulating shower bar
overhead
and I was happy
How grateful I am
for the rustling hedge
for The Second Labatt’s Blue
there in The Fridge
H–‘s upstairs finishing
a nap
Eliza’s been horsed
all that’s left
is supper
on tap
There’s powder on My Face
My White Sweat Shirt
over My New Black
Push Up Bra
I put on Black Socks
old jeans that still fit
–
I’m off to shop for The Makings
of Stew
with My Cans still rattling
around
in My Black Escape
–
The Noon Radio News reports
“rising tide levels along coastal regions
& severe weather events
in the coming years.”
Joanna Gilman Hyde 