Cardiovascular Issues Prevent Me From Flirting

Sweat of summer lingers at the nape of my neck
September ushers in cooler air, but not fast enough

She is charming and wounded as we walk uptown
And I am pretending not to be breathless

Which is stupid, I realize, and it's not like it helps
But I space out my laughter to coincide with my lungs' demands

Hoping that she will not notice my panting
Or the flush of my face, red as autumn leaves

Danger Looks Different

I keep the dog inside
Because the moment he sees those damn longhorn cattle
He's going to go rushing after them.

Bounding, barking, horripilating,
With all of the fierceness and glee of a hunter
He will hurl his nineteen-pound body

Through one of the damn gaps in the damn fence
And toward the heels of some hitherto
Undangerous cow.

I could say to him, "No! They are fifty
Times your size! They are equipped with enormous horns!
You will be kicked, stomped, or possibly gored!"

I have said these things before, and always
He looks at me for the briefest
Of moments, as if

To say, "Nothing is more dangerous
Than playing it safe."
Before turning and charging

Through the rightmost gap
And toward the thrill.

Haiku On the Wisdom of Sufjan

Where I go, he goes
Click of nails on the tile floor
He watches for treats

Liturgy

Call your mother

Tell her how okay everything is

Try not to apologize for being fat

Eat a cheeseburger in the car

Eat salad at home

Sing the praises of balsamic vinegar

The phone rings

Three times in your purse before you answer

Hello, I'm sorry, I love you

Peace be with you

A handful of cereal

And also with you