it's all becoming visible now
the changes
no longer subtle
everything shifting falling
cracking open
and should we fail to mourn
they mark them every one
with blinking lights and traffic cones
and i know i know
what i'm telling you is little more
than a preface
but i can't recall
what else it is that's supposed
to be out there
so just take it for what it is take it
on faith that behind
the yellow glare is a hole that keeps getting
wider and deeper
with different colors of dirt underneath
the broke up blacktop
and way below that just darkness and something
that sounds like water
gurgling on rocks
or the dry rattle someone makes when
it's almost over with
or like one of them said last week it could be
just the beginning


�2006 by James Lineberger

Mama always put sugar on our
cereal and double spoonfuls in our coffee
or if it was pancakes
we got sugar on top after the syrup

and if she was fixing cooked carrots
or string beans or peas
or French toast or just plain tomato sandwiches
they would get a pinch

too because it gives you the energy
you need to get through the day
she said
but when daddy died

mama set out two warm beers to keep going
and gave her cereal to the dogs



�2006 by James Lineberger