Settling (a poem from poetry month)

the flatness of the brick
and mortar
catch my eye
I ignore the window
and for a moment you

things settle

wordwise and generous
you find something
here other than
pizza and poetry

my beer-hazed consciousness
paired with your
clear cultural consciousness
provides an intimate understanding
of disappointment and fortitude

for instance
your seventh grade self
is disappointed with
how far we haven’t come
my seventh grade self
doesn’t want to
hang around anymore

you settle

finding fortitude
at the bottom of
a pint
a PBR in Jared’s case
or a point
reminded me of
Lynne Tillman
or of you

I  settle

we come into
our consciousness
at different times
I cross this off
the to do list
I haven’t written
rambling
as you mop up