987

a couple of dogs
lying in the heat
panting and stretching
on concrete cooled by
a wooden roof

a bright green lizard
stopping
and scurrying
across the door to the
garage

I’ve got a brother
that speaks French
and another one
that follows me around
and drools on my pillowcase
just to show me how good
his guitar skills are

and a sister taking the MCAT
in a few weeks for the second time

are we afraid
we’re like everyone else
even as our parents
forget our names
and spend nights
chasing salvation or
holiness in a bar

we’re just a couple of dogs
or a lizard
in the heat
with chests heaving