"Here I Am", "Triangle Sum Thereom", "Living on the Edge of Seen", "Shelter in Place", & "When I Get Home A Package" by Marc Meierkort

Here I Am

without warning. Without a coat. 

I risk getting taken to task over 

meaning. This makes me feel

nervous. Porous like a sponge. 

The work is almost over. The

work is nearly done. Practice

can’t make perfect but it does

make a poor man a rich man.

Which goes without saying.

Meaning is a mystery. The 

work is here. I am listening.

Triangle Sum Theorem

Accidents happen less than you think. 

Numbers don’t lie is why I write down 

every word. I encourage friends to do 

the same. Some comply. Some compare 

notes. Some provide stock tips and other 

economic ephemera. Numbers tell stories. 

Bodies tell lies. Anne Sexton declares 

“there is no point to being half a poet.” 

Intentionality must be thrust out front 

where accidents happen to the most 

miserable of people. In other words—

the tetris effect. So much depends 

on that doggy in the window.

Living on the Edge of Seen

Once upon a time a girl 

loved me for the freckle 

in my eye. She left me 

for some other guy. 

I’m sure there’s a word 

for that feeling but 

meaning I don’t care 

to know. I imagine 

living in a palace

jamming all day 

with the brothers 

Marsalis. Laughter 

comes but not 

in a way people 

think is funny. 

Once upon a time 

feeling is mutual.

Seriously. People

felt connected.

Safety nets on

every corner.

Shelter in Place

Heat and humidity make my skin crawl 

and curl like pages of a book burning 

to be read again. Nothing changes.

The story like the song remains 

the same. Art hardens. People 

think it’s okay to believe 

the earth is flat. On top 

of that birds aren’t 

real. But you are. 

Real as real gets—

pretty hairy 

out there.

When I Get Home a Package

is waiting for me outside my door. My name is written in a fine point purple Sharpie script. Naturally I’m perplexed by this gesture so astonishing. I don’t remember placing any orders online. The package professionally wrapped but that’s to be expected if you want to get my attention. It’s not my birthday or anything that calendar-specific. I don’t know how I should feel about such largesse. Should I open it? Who do you think it’s from? The Unabomber died so it can’t be him. He was locked up for a long time so it can’t be that.