EMERALD CITY FUNERAL MARCH

I can still see your house 

from mine

and the chasm where 

the post office was

the hill was important

crucial blackberry zone

lies about the Dairyqueen parking lot 

terminal gasps of a city

black eyed susan deadhead stalks 

salmon metaphors work good 

where did the people go

where do they come from

the river is on fire but 

the fish stay put 

glass and glass and glass 

the tank outside of the classroom

if you were good you got to 

monitor the eggs, wait for growth

lazy daze walks up and down

tracking signs that claim
how much time is left

Dis N That boutique, Pho Beef Noodle

the Starbucks on Rainier 

saintly status now that it’s gone

old men played dominoes there

the new place is OK if you’re willing 

to be a computer - like me today -

I opted for the chrome as well

it contrasts with white tile
so clean, the pastel autumn palette 

of fibrous garments
fresh metropolitan motherhood
ochre, salmon, pale ass sky blue

me too! again, and also

but childless baby spice

pigtails and fine lines

antioxidants and lip smackers

anyways I can still see
your house from mine

the Jo Jos we ate on the curb

the ways we are the same

coat our fingertips in seasoning 

it works for a second 

devour the crumbs

as everything passes