In a Baby (audio only)
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The Dream of Knife, Fork, and Spoon
I can’t recall where to set the knife and spoon.
I can’t recall which side to place the napkin
or which bread plate belongs to me. Or
how to engage in benign chatter.
I can’t recall when more than one fork—
which to use first. Or what to make of this bowl of water.
I can’t see the place cards or recall any names.
The humiliation is impressive. The scorn.
No matter how much my brain “revises” the dinner
to see if the host was a family member—
I can’t recall which dish ran away with which spoon.
2016
What Is Good on January 8th, 2026?
Good was shot in the face three times.
Good was shot in ICE-cold-blood.
The President stated that she weaponized her car, but Good
did no such thing.
Good was a poet. Good can come of poets.
Today, Good can’t breathe either.
2026
The Dream of Shoji
How to say milk? How to say sand, snow, sow,
linen, cloud, cocoon, or albino?
How to say page or canvas or rice balls?
Trying to recall Japanese, I blank out:
it’s clear I know forgetting. Mother, tell me
what to call that paper screen that slides the interior in?
2016