A NAME LIKE VERA

nostril flare at the flamingo solo
playing fast and clean
the deterioration is on the inside
you look great
erica used to say that about vodka
it preserves you
straying from the contract 
just floating around
old midnight friend
milk dud eyes
my nipple in this sweater
everything happens 
you can’t rely on people
they will let you down
only jesus won’t 
cross hatch on your brow
hash mark smile lines 
deep in a dream of you
high at the wet beach
on a driftwood see saw
lighting cigarettes
with candles

Quick

Swallow
Get dressed
I think he might be fading
A quick hello
He doesn’t bring up trauma anymore
Born during the holocaust, 
Parents seeking dead relatives, etc.
Maybe he’s happier than he’s ever been
We haven’t argued in awhile.

My project manager left today

On the one hand, I failed.
On the other hand,

we’re joking again.