cough cough cough

last week I saw a woman walking
reminded me of an old wallet
the sort you keep things in and forget about
could’ve been a violin for that matter

which is something I should pick up more often.
another thing I think about picking up but right now: the phone
but I don’t because of a past experience.


now I know better than to assume
I can sleep through the night
or that you will answer promptly,

or that sitting upright will help a migraine
but just rest your head on a cold windowpane
and think of it like a picture frame,
and the cars like so many landscapes,
and if you happen to glance my way momma
don’t like at me like I’m not coughing.