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.