“How to Build a Shed”
By Robin Meister
Build the floor and call it quits. After winter, discover the lawnmower won’t start. Notice your teenage son’s bike has rusted. Watch him paint it black to match his mood.
When your wife says, “Build the damn walls,” paint them yellow.
Lose your son to silence. Keep the ceiling beams loose and put a window in the roof. Later, when he’s on his back with rope burns around his neck, hear him say, “Shit. The stars are amazing.”
I have to sit down to say this. Once a man offered me his heart and I said no. Not because I didn’t love him. Not because he was a beast or white—I couldn’t love him. Do you understand? In bed while we slept, our bodies inches apart, the dark between our flesh a wick. It was burning down. And he couldn’t feel it.
I’ve got to tell you
how I love you always
I think of it on grey
mornings with death
in my mouth the tea
is never hot enough
then and the cigarette
dry the maroon robe
chills me I need you
and look out the window
at the noiseless snow
At night on the dock
the buses glow like
clouds and I am lonely
thinking of flutes
I miss you always
when I go to the beach
the sand is wet with
tears that seem mine
although I never weep
and hold you in my
heart with a very real
humor you’d be proud of
the parking lot is
crowded and I stand
rattling my keys the car
is empty as a bicycle
what are you doing now
where did you eat your
lunch and were there
lots of anchovies it
is difficult to think
of you without me in
the sentence you depress
me when you are alone
Last night the stars
were numerous and today
snow is their calling
card I’ll not be cordial
there is nothing that
distracts me music is
only a crossword puzzle
do you know how it is
when you are the only
passenger if there is a
place further from me
I beg you do not go
A mama tiger lost all of her cubs when they were born prematurely. She began to show signs of unhealth despite suffering no physical ailments. Attributing her illness to depression over the loss of her litter, veterinarians sought and found a solution.
