To Be Devoured

Opulent and well-garnished 
Is the day, 

Ice-cold beer and 
Briney oysters, 
Gingham picnic blankets and 
Half-hearted smiles
Sneezing intermittently 

We seize the day with sweaty palms 
In the aching rush of quotidian life 

Somewhere far away, a skipping stone drops instantly, with hesitation 
An unfinished painting anticipates a lack of direction, 
A scarfed-down bowl of pitted cherries waits to be devoured

Yesterday hadn’t a single clue 
That today would be tomorrow’s forever 

Your nails never absorbed the
Specks of dirt 

And we’re crossing out the days on the calendar 
Lingering where we wish, fleeing where we cannot

The music within my throat is 
Rising, thrumming 

The voice does not belong to me, 
And nobody truly knows whether it’s rooted 
In radio, bluetooth, earbuds, or the bottom of some diaphragm 

She sings a hymn of regret, 
Hello
But 
Goodbye