I tell myself to aggravate ferocity

with those I had chosen to be worse with last year

those I had toiled more to be hostile with this year

Who put tongue against blade?   

Everyday feet entwined by sun

not submissive mornings but sparkling afternoons

arranged my books before orderly rows of insecticides

unwritten absences of buddies on the pages

Would you traverse elsewhere?

Effortless stops of choice descending from the bus

alleys proximate, early arrival of stray-dog-catcher vans

that howled by

You watch the dreaded tremors

                                  of saved animals

Everyday, do you think about dad?

hate the compulsion of going to work

before mirror, by not looking at

what is aging by habit training