Stretch

I left the broken metal band
with the rest of the watch
in her top drawer
next to the sex dice
and an open bag of
cough drops.

I didn’t need to know
what time it was
in the summer dark
when all things
came uncovered
in the paler light.

I broke it in my hand
after the phone call
disconnected,
and the crystal face
cut deep into
my palm.

I could not tell you
where the door was
if there was water
rising all around
and drowning us.

For some reason
I thought about tall grass
and every insect
I would never know the
name of, and I was fine
with setting all of it on fire.

I thought it was possible
to be in more than one place
at a time, and in a quantum sense
it kind of is, but there is little
practicality in knowing that.

Besides most people
are one check engine light away
from being zeroed out,
and so the likelihood that I
could handle more of this
is suspect.

I think the end of anything
is always tinged with
fireworks that go off
in your brain like you
are driving by and seeing them
for miles.

The voice left on the other line
could make memories so powerful
forgetting would be like falling from
a satellite.

I guess this moment is my monument to them
before I jump and get collected by the gravity.
I cannot tell if this new ringing is the real thing
or simply all that I am hoping for.

It’s just a sound somewhere
that bounces off no part of me.