Remember when it stayed January for months?

When the lake wanted to become a lake again

but couldn’t. We stuff our hands into blue mittens

and took turns sitting on them for each other.

My body would’ve charged in any direction

that you’d let it. It’s much harder than you think

to time travel back to a past self

and ask it for your old behaviors. What January was it

again when we saw the winter-thinned-goose walk over

the lake and you went outside fed it stale greensprinkled-

sugar-cookies out of your hand.

The goose got fat and you got well. The goose came back

every morning till it didn’t. You waited for me till

you couldn’t.

*

It’s August now and I’m alone again

This morning outside my window a fox walked

across the porch with a fat liver between his teeth

sweet organ blood on his white chest he’s delighted

My dear please forgive me

I’m starting to think this is all I can be.