you're human not wall
you're strong, funny, sharp, vibrant
humans leak, walls don't

we never know how
to say hello or goodbye
in between we're fine

when you were in jail
i still wished i could’ve had
a brother like you

i so wish i could
remember your children’s names
i don’t dare ask now

sorry i blew off
the small talk conversation
you were just too hot

the photographer
took a shot of just my hands
to remember me

first you bullied me
you smiled on my gig with you
highlight of my life

i have headset mics
let’s spend tonight acting out
tedtalk fantasies

when we went at it
i attacked your strongest point
to win completely

i am mortified
i fell asleep at lecture
in your class of one

i felt partnership
when we built the chicken coop
thank you margaret

i played the squeezebox
“when the saints go marchin in”
while your donkey danced

at least she’s honest
she’ll piss on you and tell you
“I’m pissing on you”

i remember how
you taught me brass polishing
before your Nobel

i treasure the tins,
i wish i'd had you sign them
before you were gone

i can’t decide if
you taught me how to be free
or just bad habits

what would you do if
i promise you will not fail?
i'd dance in a club

the hallway paint tones
came from that mexico pic
of your skin and mine

it was your tough luck
you got stuck managing me
( that's for all bosses )

i was confused when
carli asked, where’s my sugar?
she's black. she meant kiss

---

it's my house you mourn
"I wanted to grow old there"
not: "grow old with you"

i wish you loved me
as much as you hate the thought
of being single

you say trees bear fruit
in seven years. i ask if
they’re dead the first six

you said i must have
just wanted something shallow
i wished that were true

you had faith in us
i saw too much evidence
to the contrary

married and lonely
i couldn't stand being both
so i chose lonely

---

you wouldn’t fit in
there was never any room
I married my work

it's a good career
for people who are single
or who want to be

how I envy you.
each marriage is still perfect
now, on your first day

you understood me
when i told you, אני לא
מדבר עברית

until your sailboat
loses sight of the old land
it won't reach the new

what would you say if
you could speak to anyone
and say anything?

i like your work hat
especially the floppy
green part with sparkles

what I need in you
is the man i am with you
narcissistic love

as an atheist
i never looked for angels
you're my very first

you have strength to leave
even the strength to mend it
i'm here no matter

when we were just kids
we giggled at prize fighters
aww, look. they’re hugging!

It’s a shame we met
before I understood how
not to be an ass

foul, your midnight oil
i rather the scented kind
pressed into tired bones