dumpling

The gum on the sidewalks by my house turns black over a fortnight. My thumbnails have gone black too from picking makeup off my lashes and scratching at crud on public tables in parks.

I'm looking out for sexual predators. I'm squinting my eyes in the too bright sun. I can hear winter coming. I'm planning to stay at home.

I'm so smart my brain is poking through my head and making it hurt with busyness and plans and futures.

I'm so stupid I've got all this niceness around me I'm ready to pick it apart, spit it out step on it, leave it out for two weeks outside my door. See what happens.

That's why I haven't written
and that's why I"m writing now.