1185

sad piano and waxed strings
for Paul and Anthony
(always clutching)

Tennessee and church or
country stores and hay
for Paul and Anthony
(never gasping)

racing and manicured lawns
for Curt and Steven
their families
dogs, too
(always scratching)

pageantry and shorelines or
tractors and cigarettes
for Curt and Steven
(never bowing)

flutes and whispers
for Ashton and Ethan
(always wheezing)

ramparts and bruises or
leather and vomit
for Ashton and Ethan
(never sleeping)

everything was the same in
the morning paper
like everything was the last
thing on the mind

sustained and represented
well we were all silent and
golem-like when our time came

sometimes we prayed when our
backs hurt
the neck close to giving out
or our
lovers threatening to slam
a black car door

on ropes and poverty
we don’t think too much
we just

oh

you can hear us?

well we…
no
everything is the same

everything is the same