I sat at my desk and contemplated all that I had accomplished
this year. I had won the hot dog eating contest on Rhode Island.
No, I hadn’t. I was just kidding. I was the arm wrestling champion

I wish somebody would give me
a couple of live panda bears.
After all these years I deserve them.

The sisters are waiting
in the trophy room: Belinda
and Ducky. The morning

Henut and Judy sucking lollipops
are the room’s only furnishing.

The illusion of total competence traps 
Drunks and other scientists trying 
Any old bottle that catches their eye. 

Who will meet her?
sitting ahead of me,
her face a crushed girlskin,

When the roof gave, they
raked up the mosaic
and sold it by the kilo sack.

I read about the man who stood
50 years after the battle and saw
the field of human skeletons.

I have spent 30 years trying not to write
this poem.

When we climbed the black stone,
I was already in love
with your feet. I hadn’t