he cried when the doctor spoke of owls in the morning and curdled milk, moth balls and polyester in a thrift store. did you cry at your diagnosis? no, this elevator goes up once and never comes...

i lie still in a dark room comforter pulled over me a quiet wind whispering outside my leg is folded under me ankle behind my knee and the dog has her head on my thigh her butt tucked under my armpit and...