Why no fireworks 
on one’s birthday 
just on NYE
as though the 
collective celebrates what
one more trip 
around the sun 
as though earth
asked for nonsense 
talk to her 
she’ll tell you 
leave me alone 
you have overstayed 
your own welcome 
you’re beginning to 
stink like fish 
left in sun

The bottom’s had
a bad rap 
what if the 
bottom’s what’s left 
after the debris 
of one’s life
is swept away 
and it’s not 
even a bottom 
but a passage 
to places beyond 
unseen and distant 
oh poor bottom 
lost and forgotten 
not by me 
for I have 
gone even lower 
into my tunnels 
and it’s marvelous 
come join me 

I can’t imagine 
though imagine I
always do this 
being any better 
for I and
not them am
and I this
very simple thing 
think just that 
so what say
you of this 
for thou too

And another year 
they march on
footprints in snow 
and in sand
made then gone 
blown and washed 
without any trace 
except mine knowing 
I’d been there 
such are feet
and never miles 
nor ever inches 

I wonder when 
or ever if
I will stop
turning my head
like family dogs
hearing some sound 
when my phone 
chimes a message 
and then wondering 
maybe desperately hoping 
it’s from you
and like dog
returns to bed
threat’s been avoided