1240

I had dinner and it steamed
I had rice and meat and beans
and the neighbor stopped by
asking if he could have some
I was in the garden
my head in a bush
searching for sunlight
and those lizards who scurry
when dusk rises and spins
what an abrupt turn
what a new face
how I must have startled him
scratches and blood on the cheeks
sure sure you can have some
I’m not a selfish person
so he took a plate
sat in the garden
encouraged me to find what I was
searching for
sure sure you can do it
I thanked him and went back in
my hair pushed up and back
my teeth green and brown
consumed by that one
inescapable emotion
loneliness