Only Child Syndrome

I was imagining something crystalline and made of city
dirt and not-knowing. So I stayed inside all day.
I would like to say some true things, the way a song
can be true, or a dance. Using my words, I can say, “I sat
all day on my couch, looking up things online. This was research.”
I can say, “I’m left to my own devices again.” Whatever
that means. I have a generalized, sisterly sort of ache,
all of us trying so hard. Think of the gaze of something
dear to you. Imagine you could stay there always.


1/3/2010
Inwood, NYC