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,

rock, paper swan tongue slithers
into folding legs
of scissors

silver blinding hordes
in corners

numbed by grind of
mind traps
mice..

arch and writhe selves
out of vice.