in this house
people are biting people
fur flies
tears flounder
it's just September, she says to herself
they weren't ready
maybe, if I spent more time, gave more care
they would feel better
at the dining room table
the scientific calculator has forgotten
how to
calculate fourth roots
it is in danger of being thrown
math principles 10 is not the end of the world
we can do this
they peer at the shift key, teach the machine to find gold again
after a summer's rest
somewhere in the universe
a shoe has gone missing
how could it? It is needed right now!
she sets her breakfast aside, joins the search
back of the closet, under the bed...
the shoe, it seems, has moved to Lithuania, or Pluto
borrow mine for now, she says
maybe, if I spent more time with them, paid more attention
things would be better
in the place where anxiety lives
first transit trip to college is
stressing him out
thirty minute shower soothes, but makes him late
he wolfs the eggs she offers, while she builds sandwiches, packs cookies
sorry mom
sorry mom
thanks mom (he ducks his head)
the eggs are cold - he does not complain
maybe, if I'd timed it better, they would have been just right for him this first day
maybe he would be more sure
in this house
late in the afternoon
wild creatures circle and snarl
the crow refuses to speak the wolverine's name
the wolverine stakes out separate territory
they are tired and overwhelmed, they will adjust
in Switzerland
she cooks spicy rice and chicken for supper
calls the warring parties in, one by one
to pick up their meals and retreat
after the dishes are clean
she bakes banana bread
maybe if I paid more attention, stayed home more, they wouldn't fight like this
things would be better
in the kitchen, some time later
she slides the loaf from the pan
takes a steaming slice to wolverine, and one to crow
and one to the student, safely home now
careful, she tells them, let it cool
take your time
pay attention
it will be good
