Say

A spray of birds in uprising
to misty peaks…
I’m kidding.
I would never

be that dude, ask
in return for sympathetic looks
sympathetic looks from time
to time offered the child.

Consider me that, though,
I would ask
you consider me softly. Bésame, maybe
mucho if you’re married if
you feel me,
if you don’t
mind my asking: tell me your life.

Consider me when you leave me out
of key. Spare me the told, the telling
signs of water damage
understating the shyness again of
of mold, I repeat, the sheer speed
of of creep

Consider your propensity to preach
along to fold up your napkin to announce
a sermon tucked inside. Will you excuse me
the need to ball mine own shreds?

Stop. Just consider a moment: a moment.
Consider your audience
captive and the floor shag
carpeting yours for the reaping, just
as soon as I manage landing this most
improper noun.

until then: silence in the bleachers: questions
in the back
in the way back

tell us your name
leave nothing out