learning to juggle, in gym class
circle X, figure 8
the year of dinosaurs, the year of space shuttles
they always come back
something abstract and minimalist
bring the average up
it’s like putting an acid and a base together
gays of a certain age
quinoa, quiche, ceviche

the second brain
tri-fold display boards and acrostic poems
what you do in this moment
a finger of whiskey
genius, genie, the spirit of a place
fake recognizes fake
strength, utility, and beauty
the year of yo-yos, the year of wrestling
a folding bike and an iPod Nano

obligatory Titanic reference
saying things, without saying anything
an index of memories and perceptions
half-siblings who diverged
when you look at your life
an inside-out shirt
a map of my playlists
I’m not in love, I’m angry
bright as the day

the oldest kid feels it the most
I’m not in love; my heart is broken
no more love songs; staying home
it’s like watching a sad movie on an airplane
the older generation of gays
“staying with the trouble”
I’m no longer under 30 anymore
all the little slights, all the little cuts
unspoken, understated, unstated

ellipses, blank spaces
all the things you didn’t say
learning is the first act of creation
scrolled over the same name twice

Please do not repost without my permission, but you can support my poetry here! Originally written 3/8/21. Copyright, All Rights Reserved. All art, not from the author, belongs to the original artists. This particular photo is of the standing stones in Callanish, Hebrides, in the UK.