:02
I claw up a muddy hillside in the rain in the dark.
I see the top of the hill just in reach but I can’t make it.
Small chipmunks and raccoons rip at my exposed ankles, my calves.
I feel the bark on knees,
:08
the stones on shins,
the mud coating skin.
I don’t know how to
rip out the shadows from my
breast. I remember a time
when I kept busy.
:11
I create lists.
I make dinner.
I do laundry.
I pay bills.
I sweep.
:21
I shower.
I change clothes.
I check my phone.
I check my e-mail.
:37
No one writes me back.
I brush my teeth.
I walk the dog.
I try to revise.
I take my clothes out of the dryer.
:48
I give the cat a treat.
I unwrap a package.
I fold clothes.
I write a thank you note.
I pay another bill.
I make my bed.
I make other people’s beds.
I walk the dog.
:51
I eat yogurt.
I try to meditate.
I put socks away.
I dust off the television.
I mop. I make dinner again.
:54
No one writes me back.
I read one page of one book.
I put shoes away in the closet.
I let the dog out in the back yard.
I clean off my desk.
I throw old grocery lists away.
I read another page in the same book.
:58
I try to
I read
I clean out my purse.
I put
I feed the dog.
I drive my
I sweep
I tell
:59
I call my mom
I clean
I lay the
I change
I attempt
I change sheets
I eat
I open
I re-
I re-
I claw
I claw
I claw
I c