Nephew

You grew up so fast

so sweet

and right

None of the wrong

in your life

is in you

You mentioned on the phone

how I wasn’t around

as much

when you were young

and my gut upturned

because I thought I was

I am trying to get better

at keeping quiet

when we talk about family 

listening to you talk about your mother

is the best version of my sister I know

Your words only speak love

You are 

Exceptional

You overcame their flaws

You did all the things 

I wanted to save you from

You loved, despite it all

Life Itself

 It’s

Just

Bizarre

On the one hand

you just experience it

as it comes

Life, Itself

but also

You’re kind of experiencing 

every life

that has ever lived

at the same time

On the other hand

you’re a head in a vat

and nothing is unique 

But

you always feel

so fucking special 

I want to hold you

and the entire world

in both hands right now 

I want to hug life itself 

38 ain’t shit

 She said

You are the most responsible person I know!

financially!

morally!

...

All I heard was

“morally!”

 Fucking Christ

Thank God 

This rigid moral compass ain’t shit

unless someone sees it

38 isn’t terrible

It is

Accelerator

everyday I swim up 

and then look back at you 

I wonder if everyone that has ever struggled

with a lighter knew that you can hold

 the accelerator down for a patient sec before 

you light the wick

You finished my sentence

the other day

I said the reason 

I spend every free moment 

reorganizing 

it’s because it’s your love language

I was going to say it is because I want you

to stay forever and I am forever

making room for you

  

Kara Marie Bibb

Slow it down

Take it easy, baby

I know you know this,

Kara Bibb,

but it’s all already in order

You can put like things 

with like things

and laminate and label everything 

but it’s all out of your hands 

Slow it down and take it easy

Hey, KB, it’s okay already

If you really want to make a scene

stay sober for a week

and aha, AHA

there is no fly in your soup

You

Just

Forgot

The

Spoon

Hey, kb 

if you want a party on your patio

just ask for it

No one is holding your tongue 

Kara Marie Bibb,

you can do no wrong 

Supermarket Sweep

 I did that thing again

where I wipe the slate clean

There’s not a single thing

left in this world

that could mortify me

I hope if it involved you

if there was some apology

you wanted from me

there is a poem in this sweep

to set you free

too

There’s just gotta be

Human Unless You Tell Me Otherwise

 Imagine that your ex-girlfriend 

is like an older brother to you

She bullies you a bit when you wrestle

puts you in a loose headlock

but always lets you get away

Imagine they know about your childhood

the calls to 911 and the operator saying

Is this an emergency?

Yes

No

I don’t know 

Are you imagining?

 Can you send someone to 2511 East 24th St?

Apt 14

I’m just speculating 

No, I take it back

they’re just pillow fighting

but eventually

No one will care that 

this isn’t working

And your ex-girlfriend will just be shouting

Why the fuck didn’t you fight for me?

Why didn’t you burn down the bar for me?

How did you not see me