sometimes I forget to just listen.
I close my eyes 
watch the highway
swing its lasso at my window 
the night gremlins
wring out their last limericks 
and hang them on its line.
the highway complies,
but oh, the frogs 
the errant airplane
clamor like siblings – listen! listen! 
and the wall beside inside offers
my home’s soft bellows
such delicacies! delights 
to tempt my worry
but there’s a thought 
and here’s me – 
again in the center 
riding my bullshit one handed 
when I could be listening – listen! 
who cares if I glisten? 
hear the trees stretch
ancestors yawn
you’re bigger than this 
they guess, but listen!
strain to clasp the river mud
soothe your bones, lover love
yes, yes
see it is actually about me
but it’s not
knotted in the circlet of car horn noses
and the green not yet roses
just just listen 
pluck the thoughts like weeds the tendrils
curling underfoot the tendons
pull that tightrope pull it 
erase that sweater as you knit it
no – listen,
listen