breathing lessons
I am sitting in a car wash
wishing
for beautiful words
the sound of water
fog
and how I had forgotten it
woods
a tractor seat ‘s well worn cushion
a screwdriver
a peanut in the side pocket
receipts for welding equipment
the remnants of a good cotton season
beige hallways with no art
pocket contents
flower arrangements in three rooms
lamentations.
proofs.
I wished to write beautiful words about grief, but all I really have is the truth:
My father died on Jan 20, 2013.
I hadn’t seen him in seven years.
I missed his funeral.
My mother told me to stay away
because my queerness is like another death.
And then I went home anyway.
I loved him,
and he loved me.
So what do I do when someone becomes anecdotes
traces
silence?
I am taking breathing lessons.