i saw god's shadow on this world

the sun came through the window
and you could feel it.
i was thinking how there were things about my bank account
that i didn't want to know right now.
i was sitting in a wicker chair and that is how it felt.
i was trying to hear the plants grow.
i was making a face that reflected all of this and more.
she said “stop that.”

at night i wake up with the sheets soaking wet

tonight the sky was pink and yellow
and then suddenly it wasn’t.

i thought very hard about being crippled by loneliness
and then my mind started to wander.

i overheard the radio saying something about
when i lay my burdens down
and that one really got me thinking.

if i see you tonight is a sentiment
that doesn’t really go anywhere

talking about ghosts

are you still dreaming about ghosts she asked
i said no. have you been dreaming about ghosts?

i’ve been thinking about people in coats with big buckles
red coats that are faded and they are all praying in mud.
there are horses nearby sometimes.
she said everyone there is wearing blindfolds.

i said i thought we were talking about ghosts.
she said oh.
the sun came through the window
and you could feel it.
there were certain things about my bank account
that i didn't want to know.

i was making a face.
she said stop that.

i saw god's shadow on this world

the other day i stepped out into the backyard
and planted my feet hard on the concrete.
i could feel it in my soles.
i looked at the sun until i could still see it
with my eyes closed.

there was a siren somewhere
and planes were moving overhead
and she was loudly turning the pages of the sunday paper.

she said i should think about slow time.
i said about what?

slow time she said. like when time moves slow.

here's one about the water

when the floods came we buried everything
or everything got buried when the floods came.
there were whales everywhere but there was no one to save them.

somewhere in the distance there was the sound like a shower turning on.

all the tired horses

the horses were galloping wildly
and with abandon
and the promise of strength
using legs that could be described
as shotgun-like.

attempting to establish a position

i sat down yesterday to start making a list
of the things people say or do.
she asked if i meant all the things
that was what i meant, right?
i said no. or. i said that we’d see.
for the first time in a while
there was more stuff for dinner
than i could cook before it would go bad.
or, it seemed that way when i opened the fridge
after that conversation.

stepping out into the backyard
the sky felt ripped open
as four low-flying jets
flew past overhead.
she asked what the fuck was that?
i said it was jets
i was standing there still,
feet planted in the concrete
looking at the sun until i could still see it
with my eyes closed.

start the grill, she said.

some people say the devil has taken our souls
some people say the world will collapse on itself
and china will take all of our jobs.
some people think that resurrection is a terrible idea.
some people say that god is on our side.
some people say that it is time for dinner.
some people believe firmly in the cleansing power
of a good clean flood.
some people feel much cleaner after it rains.
some people prefer the smell of a good garden-hosing.
some people dance badly.
some people don’t see failure as being that.

the great train robbery was over

what, she said.
i said i thought all my fillings fell out and i was terrified.
i said why what did you dream about

she said she dreamed about the day when we walk out one door
and immediately enter into the room we had to be in
she said she dreamed about the day when everybody understood everything
and how it was a lot like today except the news channels were all different
i said how are the dentists there
she said they are fantastic.

i said that sounds pretty great.
she said yes.