November

something there is that loves
    an arrow, or flattery like
          when the current
        or blaming mouths
       in mirrors to private
   discernment and alarms

     engorge every room's
     crease. you can't hear
           how you sound

     and the voice in your
   head plus the ones that
surge. nothing can muffle it,
    but everything shows up
                  instead.

              Notice first,
          groove in couch
            or tore up face.

            house no food
           and he show up
           on the third day,
    shut in and announcing.
    He shuffle some promise
        which is just enough
                to stave off
             an evening out
             taking cell pics
          of yourself and all

        those who meant so
     much, who you can no
             longer detect
           save for screen
  reflections and the outpost
       toilet scene because
    you agree with yourself
      that it must be a case
             of November.
 

Copyright Credit: Philip Jenks, "November" from Colony Collapse Metaphor. Copyright © 2014 by Philip Jenks. Reprinted by permission of Fence Books, www.fenceportal.org.
Source: Colony Collapse Metaphor (Fence Books, 2014)