raspberry newtons and beauty are all i have left.

raspberry newtons and beauty are all i have left.
“can you come in to work today?”
a jumble of images; televisions and sunglasses
tossed with cookie crumbs onto coffee tables;
it’s overwhelming.
there is a bright golden paper image
from my childhood rustling in the fan-wind
next to my phone.
“golden bears;” they were our fifth-grade paper
currency; blackmail, bribes from the teachers.
i used to buy folders in brilliant colors
and pink erasers
and gummy worms with my golden
bears.
since then, i’ve gathered
these marks on my body
(mosquito bite on left foot,
love bite on mid-neck,
scar on right pointer finger)
which should, i wish i wish,
make someone happy as
the trinkets made me. (actually,
this afternoon
i believe
he touched his finger to my one
chest-mole,
and smiled beautifully).
it changes.