Published: April 9, 2009

an old friend

visits me now

and then.

he’s the kind you don’t bring to parties

unless you’re fond of

awkward silence.

and yet

i’m always sad

to see him

go.

he is the nose pressed against the glass neighbor

that everybody has and nobody wants but everybody misses

when the moving van drives by.

he paces by the front door

the moment i’ve one foot out the back

or have just settled down to a bowl of puttanesca.

but mostly he comes

precisely when i’ve decided i don’t

want the company.

when i’ve turned out the porch light

the kitchen and the bedroom light

and have run a warm

soapy bath

hoping to wish him

and wash him

away.