(her name on the)

her name on the
distribution list for
her own death notice

(upon hearing that she has)

upon hearing that she has
metastatic cancer
frantically checking to see if her last
e-mail is still in my inbox

Steaming

spent four minutes
with a spoon and a knife
squeezing every drop out of
the stringless PG Tips tea bag
only to watch it plop back in the cup
in an instant
with a splash

Coffee by Domination

Coffee is a man's drink.
It is robust and hardy.
It's earthy and militant --
even when it's dressed up
with pumpkin spice creamer
and Sweet'N Low.
Coffee doesn't tiptoe like tea.
It busts down the door
and makes itself known.
It takes command and
shows you who's boss.
It drags you through the yard
or the office like a soldier
and takes you to the other side
of the mountain or your morning.
Coffee doesn't disappoint.
Whether it's a buzz or a BM
that you seek, coffee doesn't
let you down.
Coffee is a man's drink.

(driver making the car)

driver making the car
her makeshift makeup studio
and making us nervous

My on-Again, off-Again Bedside Companion

She doesn't like to cuddle
or be held.
She likes to be in control,
to call the shots.
She comes
when she's ready.
She comes
to get what she wants
and leave.
And she practices the most
peculiar positions.
She often prefers to rest her head
near my hips
and press herself against me,
begging to be stroked.
When I pet her in just
the right places,
she purrs with pleasure
and lets me know,
in no uncertain terms,
that she's glad to be
my pussycat.

(snacking on Brussels)

snacking on Brussels
sprouts and agua during the
Golden Globe Awards