Four Poems

Restraining Order, Expired

I have bought the same brand of low-sodium almonds
that you keep in a small container on your desk. I know
how you like to incorporate healthy fats into your diet.
For days now I have been coming in while you are at lunch
and filling back up your container with those same nuts.
I have not seen your delight, but evenings at home, I like
to imagine the surprise in your face each day when you
take off the blue lid. More nuts! Each day, more nuts.

Get Pretty and You Ain’t Got to Worry

                  for Erica

I said girl, look at these cheekbones. You think I got to worry
about paying rent? Back bills? I’m so thin, my doctors pull

me into appointments early. You want to make a bet
on my collar bones? My skin really caves in deep there, a clear,

cold pool that could hold a lot of coins, baby. I have a surfboard
stomach; birds stand on me and coast in to shore. They say

it’s dangerous to be this small but I got it all—long perfect
lashes, short skirts, every eye on me when I put wheat grass

real gentle down into my shopping cart. They say what’s she got
that I don’t? I got it in droves til I gotta get rid of it.

I’m not the kinda girl who cries in the bathroom at the bar.
Leave that to the short legs, the ones who drive old cars.

Get pretty, baby, and you ain’t got to worry.

Another Dream I’m Pregnant

and when I up with just my-

          self inside myself,          I feel

tender     and    timid               like a broke

                              in half button

          pulled loose of its thread.

                                        I want to sing                    no-

body knows                     the trouble i’ve seen

                         but one

          body does:          he

                                                  gave it to me.

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