Paying Bills

Ink scratches
on paper.
Licking
bitter glue.
Subtraction
never addition.
Jaw
clenched.
Chair
creaks.
Brain
throbs.
Outside
through glass
a cedar,
a branch
on which a robin
with caterpillar
momentarily
chooses
among three mouths
gaping.

 

7/28/84

© Copyright 1984 and 2000 by Joe Cottonwood

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