A Quarter Past Hope

Melancholia

i.

how many grieving glances

does it take

to commit murder

ii.

like a stroke victim

a half smile

isn't a transgression

(only half a lie)

iii.

in their avoidance,

eyes notice

layers of dust,

threatening to seal

all the exits

iv.

unbid,

the exterminator

knocks on the door

he must have heard

v.

the collection of pebbles

in my chest

surely they clatter

as i walk