Off the Knife
How I dared to eat food directly
off it, licked the edge to see if it
could cut, how I chopped heads
or feet of baby carrots, and lettuce snapped.
When renovating the bathroom,
I poked at the exposed metal piping,
thought how hard it would come down.
In the living room, two missile shells
held fake sunflowers. When empty,
they tipped over easily, and echoed
as I howled in them. When sleeping
we’re just practicing. A bullet left over
years ago, stands at attention, as if
shot out again on the display
case with the crystal knick knacks
by the dining table. Using nylon ropes
my family leashed the sheep at Eid,
as it sat in the garden before
we brought out the knife again.
Estate Sale: Reduction
Inside, there is a china cabinet
with a light that matches the beige
of the house. A slim curtain, pink flowers
weaving in and out of themselves.
My grandmother is dead. Passing through
doors, scratches on the frames. The silverware
left in piles on the kitchen counter.
Limp rabbit dolls in blue clothes sit
back to back in a circle.
An old man, who buys nothing
walks down the stairs with a familiar air.