a virtual burden of

eleven grams

twenty-seven years

and half of a her total volume

(maybe less, maybe more)

///

no, darling:

i have not forgotten

how you raised your eyebrows

(in disbelief?)

that night in april

when i didn’t know how to —

and just needed a —

“why not?” you asked

and i don’t even remember

what unsettled me the most:

your eyebrows, your question or

that potted plant

shriveling in the corner of your

unkind bedroom

(a hopeless case)

///

hallowed be thy name,

martha,

but get out of my car

asap