deep breath
close your eyes
count to ten
let out a sigh
simmer down
I’m under a live oak
the sun is behind me
and the heat of the day is magenta
two days ago I found the meaning of life
picked it up off a sidewalk in front of the school
thought it was a quarter
yesterday I had to give it back
the truth it contained had caused a bad rash
the persistent itch I have on my right shoulder blade
tomorrow is my day of rest
ironic somehow that it falls upon a Sunday
you should invite me to your church
tell me how it’s different from all the others
how your pastor is a great guy, a loving woman
how your pastor knows all the allusions jammed into Shreck II
tomorrow I will take a deep breath
I will close my eyes to all the ills facing the country
you will count to ten and then decide I’m not coming,
let out a sigh and head in to sing the second verse
on my hammock I will
simmer down
Life in Portofino 