Writing

O Canada

I am so sorry for what is going on

I apologize for a lot of people's actions

to specify, their stupid actions

O Canada

Vermont sends its condolences

You were a little bird once

a chick

fluffy and begging for food

now you're all grown up

now you're learning to feed yourself

now your stretching your wings

practicing your landings and takeoffs

"Having a career isn't all that there is in life."

You think I don't know that?

I know it isn't.

But I also know

That this is my ticket into the real world

And I'm not going to blow it

For silly parties

With each unpreDictable swivel of our fingertips,

a familiar, sacred slab of tree Is destroyed.

The Earthy aroma drifts through our veins,

My anger sits just below my sixth rib.

Nestled next to my heart, 

the rage has easy access to my bloodstream.

My anger utilizes that location well.

It spreads like a lit match dropped in kerosene.

Home is

trying not to smudge 

our still-sticky nail polish

on the carpet

as we sit

cross-crossed

on the floor

spilling secrets

& memories

our speech sliding