unaffected lately
daylight lingers before full morning
in the dull space between
two slices of slightly buttered oatmeal bread
two eggs over easy-medium
feed the one with the broken yoke to the lucky dog
start the car defroster and pray
the way leads neither east nor west
into the foggy air of freezing cold
reverse down the driveway
once the rear windshield melts enough
to see clearly the slick road
arrive at work early
park in the empty lot
walk to the office with a forest view
two brown squirrels chase tails up tall oak trees
stare off into half-sleep
wake startled by snow falling from gutters
go home and let the lucky dog sit at your side
read “whispers in the loggia”
before the stations of the cross
take the lucky dog for a long trail walk
watch a Tigers baseball game
text the youngest daughter
why can’t my religion be soft and easy?
eat a few thick slices of pink lady apple
brush the sharp skin from between back molars
wash away weighted sighs under the heaviest shower setting
lock the lucky dog in the laundry room and head to bed
remember the eldest daughter who died eight years ago
dream of her