Oakland CA, 2013

Auntie circumvents direct

questions. She turns the camps

into the mild weather today, or

a sale at the fabric shop. But 

when we get an Irish coffee 

or share a wine tasting she’ll let the crack of …

Edison NJ, 1996

     is missing 

             in this apartment. Ancient make-

                           up spread across the low bureau 

            for a makeshift vanity. I only use 

cakey blue and stodgy red. (Once, 

            I filled in a whole colouring book 

                         with just spring-sky eyelids …