12/20
Sonnets From Other Lives: Second Person

You take things for granted when you can—
like the cracks in your old coffee cup—
they still hold water ( or for time’s sake—sand)
& so bear inattention. Looking up
from darkness out the window at
the shadow play of streetlight & tree bones—
you surprise yourself with your knowledge that
everybody else is as alone
as you are & we all are walk the same plank—
our heads & feet share the same sea & stars—
& the smoky whiskey you just drank
is now another part of who you are.
So set the mug down & own that it’s true
that in the end it is all about you.