no whimpers heard
through
glass,

wettest of the warning
labels worn
off,

did i blame
gravity

while refusing
oxygen?

i pass the
mask-

we syphon
tank

of drawn a
blanks

empties
fast.

settling into enough
space-out,

too much..
too flatline filler

for offlined mind
to suckle,

porchlight
flutters,

call the mongrel
by pseudo
name,

drag it in before storm
kicks beneath
the belt-

flinches felt
but not
seen.

winter semester’s
leftovers
flake
like

chalk
contours me

where aspirations
fell asleep,

screen flickers with
a younger
cast

poorly paid and
painted
over

convocation
portrait
of

any student forced
to ignore
spills

on dorm room
carpets,

i watch you
heavy

haunt my
way

up
ladder

onto kick out
stool,

attic toys don’t
play

with kids from
dried up
pools,

from beyond
voices
twist

like fishing line
around my
fists.