Houses

We are creatures of habit
and habitat.

I mean, point out four corners to border
my life and I shall have a house

held up by four posters keeping
all the inhabiting I shall do inside.

Meaning, I am a bear.
Meaning, I am wild

with hunger and each morning
my mouth foams over still

flapping fish fins breaking between
my jaws. Meaning, you are

in another country, drinking coffee
or tea, and heading out because you are hungry

for something more than doughnuts. Sometimes
the traffic on your way to work lets you

remember. Meaning, tell me the four corners
of my grave and when I die, I shall try

not to stretch my wild arms
too wide.

2007

-- Kash Martinez Avena