Tidbits of a Mind.

weekend

how was your weekend? you sigh.

a haircut. ringlets of curls strewn across the mat. your head feels lighter after the cut, neck empty and exposed. piano keys alternate black and white while the teacher shakes her head. you didn't practice. it shows. shrug and go home anyway.

an overdue sleepover. you sit on a bed and talk openly about anxiety and stress. swallowing pringles crumbs and nibbling chips ahoy cookies. watching a screen with a friend until 2 am, laughing until coughing, making stupid, stupid jokes.

walking a dog down a sunny sidewalk and squinting. meeting a green-eyed lonely cat who loves you a little too much for you to let go satisfied. a reunion with the cat in the afternoon, almost like a secret affair. smiling, you pet her until her purr echoes in the room. lovely, you murmur and walk back home.

wake up late, eat jalapeno cream cheese. you lick the butter knife, the spice stings tastefully. rake the neighbor's leaves, until you can close your eyes and yellow and red swirl on your eyelids. sunlight illuminates misty breath and fluttering trees. tired and heavy, but at least there's a paycheck.

how was your weekend? you sigh,

and then you smile.