Missy

she'd seen two parents die

by the time she turned five

sure, one was still breathing

but- it's not like she was

ever on his mind.

in between the booze

and the broads,

the scotch and the sluts,

missy got left behind.

so she got pawned

two generations down

and lived with the greats

in a trailer,

with no grass on the lawn.

Sick

I once got so sick,

I forgot how to read.

Sleep

I used to sleep

so unsoundly,

that I would wake up

with my feet on my pillow.

Now,

I fall asleep reading a book,

and my hand is still holding on

to the same page

as the sun rises.

The worst thing I've ever done.

When I was ten,

a good friend's brother

committed suicide.

This was January.

At my birthday party,

she fell asleep first.

This was April.

The rest of the guests,

myself included,

knelt around her curled up

on the floor.

I don't remember what compelled me

to do this, but

I leaned in, and whispered in her ear

that I was her brother.

She kept sleeping,

and I kept whispering

until she woke up sobbing.

I remember her tears the rest of the night.

I'm sorry Grace.

Butter Pecan, Chocolate

Shared a 5 scoop cone.

If you don't feel even

a little bit the same...

this is rather cruel.

Maybe something.

I wished for you on my 13^th birthday,

Blew out the candles and met you

Seven years later at a café

You, with a broken right arm

And I with a bruised left.

Two months later, we were driving

500 miles north

So I could “follow my dreams” you said,

Funny, you were the one already

In the passenger seat.

011110

Today,

the company I work for

filed for bankruptcy.

I also got a pair of shoes,

for two dollars.

Einstein on the Beach

I just got invited to a Phillip Glass concert

out of state,

by an Iraq-war vet,

who I met on Craigslist,

because he made me a mix CD,

which included Fugazi and Bad Brains,

who happened to be

one of my best friend's

sister's

closest friends.

More sleeping habits

I sleep in a tee shirt.

When I get dressed in the morning,

I simply pull the shirt over my head,

and leave it crumpled inside-out

on my floor.

At night,

I pick up the shirt,

and put it on,

inside-out

So it takes two days

for me to properly put on a shirt.

Tonight,

is the first night I'm sleeping with

sheets on my bed

in over two months.

I JUST DON'T LIKE 'EM.

The read threads.

Last night I fell asleep sewing.

I woke up this morning

tangled in a half spool

of yellow thread.

__________________________________________

II

"Today, gaze at everyone whether they might be the one true love of your life, the one destined for you and you alone, and whether you might be passing them forever...Act in consequence"

1. The Jimmy John's Guy

He was pretty cute I suppose. When he told me my total, he said "fiddy" instead of "fifty", I guess I could either take that as him having a good sense of humor, or being kind of chatchy. He seems like the kind of guy who would strive to be the center of attention, probably doing innumerable things to ensure his constant need for approval is fulfilled. However, when he was handed the wrong sandwich, he did immediately fix the situation, with a smile. Hence, he either loves his job, or is looking for some kind of managerial position, perhaps. Regardless, I don't think he was my true love.

2. Dave Velleman.

He is a free-form jazz legend on the east side. During the days of summer you can find him busking nearly every day on Brady Street. He is super sweet, and very gracious for every single tip he gets in his case. Apparently, that's how he pays his rent. He's extremely talented, no question. I did hear that he did a lot of drugs though, come to think of it...I can't believe that at all surprises me. Unfortunately, I don't think I like Coltrane enough for him to be my true love.

3. Coffee at 1pm

Guy came in and bought a 1.75$ coffee. He left 1.25$ tip. Maybe he WAS my true love.