GRAVE MARKERS

My mind changes gear

like a stair creaking or

a concierge declaring

war on a noisy diner

the stones left as grave

markers drop into the

first available slot and

the shlosser starts to

finally behave and sit

in the required place

as I power up a gasper

take a long hard drag

before letting it dangle

desultorily from fingers

and the ash fall to the

expectant floor like G-d

waiting the next sinner

“What.”

I think to myself cooly

“Am I my bro’s keeper?”

and let the ash build up

“Fuck it.”

I think to myself again

“I’m relaxing, already!”