The Soundscape of Life Is Charred by Tiny…

Two bedtimes ago, through my window,

I heard a cat get eaten.

As the cat split, it sounded like

a balloon string put to scissors

to make curls so the birthday boy

would smile extra wide.

Last night, by the same window,

I heard mostly my breath, inside of which

was a small baby suckling

my air for his milk.

When I bolted upright, the baby

grew up into a carpenter,

nailing his brains into the side of my lung

to babyproof the light switch.

Flip the switch and it lights

a picture of my emaciated, sore-ridden bum

for my breath to laugh at.

Why is my breath so unlike yours?

My ears? Why do I only hear such unnatural things?

Although, come to think of it, death is completely natural.

I’m just exasperated. Everywhere life-sounds

swarm this, our shared pond, like mating turtles.

Cars whoosh, schmoozers hum,

snakes spit poison, Martin and Martina say yes

and sob and hold, but my ears fill up instead

with eggshells cracked by the bumbling parents.

I cleaned my left ear out,

but my nail cut the drum.

It filled with water

and is deaf for now.

I’m leaving the right one dirty. No sudden changes.

Keep everything dry. Let it figure out a way to heal itself.

And me: just practice living with yourself deaf.

Sometimes your brain is as unwelcome

as muscles or guns. It’s obvious to others. Maybe even

everyone. Don’t wish for anything. Don’t get organized.

Don’t buy a book. Don’t go to bed early.

Seek out beige, in foodstuffs and landscapes.

Chew gum if you’re overwhelmed.

You’re in this alone. That means there’s nobody to stop you.

You’re almost at the finish line.

But first, you have to pick a finish line.