NaPM April 28 2016

[Tracy Mitchell]

     For No Reason

For no reason I drove into a field
bounded by swatches of cottonwood trees.
This had been a farm site, but meager.
A short weathered run of painted block
bucked against a petty grouping of junk–
spring beds, parts of a metal cabinet,
separated chair legs, and the old wall–
what was left of it - windows, and then
perpendicular to that a doorway
facing east, still so plumb and square.
I looked toward the grove for a spotted mutt
who wasn’t there, barn cats from a barn
now gone, and people I never knew.  
For no reason I stepped through the doorway.

---

doubling up today:


           Don’t Be Here

Perhaps it happens like this  – the air just
thins.  The animals wear suits, vests, colored
cravats or cummerbunds, controlled maybe
by a slide switch, they fade to visible,
talk in hushed tones, the fox and the monkey.
I strain to hear them jostling about.
My buzz grows vibrant, engulfing. Clever
jokes and repartee exchange, I smile more.
I need to get back.  The water is rich,
warm and splashy in the deep end, the lion
and bear cub want my attention, their fur
feels warm, compelling.   I can hear you
but nothing of the words.  Everything now  
happens on my side of my eyelids.