Two Poems

Eddie

The way an afternoon feels desperate. The way they we are all desperate-and high trying to fill a hole or follow the black tangled roots into the Midwestern mud. When Eddie Ray’s backyard dog-off its chain tried to bite another dog. When he caught the squirrel in the hollow pipe and it chewed off his finger-who deserved to die? When your father’s belt buckle caught your eye. Are you that squirrel, Eddie? Are you that dog tugging at the end of its chain, pacing the distance, checking for slack? It’s our errors that fly back to us, from high cliffs keening. You are at the end of your rope, Eddie-end of the field, curling around the dark roots. It’s dusk. Tomorrow is dawn. Are you still trapping wild animals? Are you still searching with your glass eye?

When That Phone Call Comes

When that phone call comes, be as casual as possible. When you’re asked whether you’ll be turning in your car, wait a beat and tell them that as much as you like the car, the ride was not as smooth as you had hoped. As much as you tried to avoid the deep splits in the road, the car rooted for the fissures. Next, ask about purchase incentives. Would they be willing to bridle the errancies, because what you witnessed through their windshield can only be described as a klieg light that flashed: terrible/lovely, terrible/lovely. For example, punching the innocent girl because she seemed superior to you or the stomachache you feigned as he stood in the doorjamb holding a swaddle of droopy roses. Make sure that they understand that you chose their plan for a reason. But keep in mind that some companies have a no-negotiations-rule when it comes to lease termination. The purchase price is what you will pay, end of story. But it’s worth a try because they are more apt to let you out of your lease than open up the sky like a tin of light.