Shattered Wig 28 Sneak Preview #5 - "TWWDATOETOAA" by Justin Sirois

Narrow House week continues here at Shattered Wig World Empire.


TWWDATOETOAA


this was written during a time of extreme turbulence

on an airplane. If these synapses are firing poorly

blame the air pressure inside the composition

not my craftsmanship. There will be a time

when we won’t need devices & there will

be a time when I will grab your ankle

as firm as milk


*


a hotel can only be remodeled so many times

until it creates a vacuum inside the atrium

& the happy hours crack the aquariums

& you can hear the groans of devaluation.

Somehow, you sleep better in rented

rooms. When the air conditioner is turned up

is it colder or hotter?

do you remember?



*


let’s reconsider Georgia O’Keeffe


*

ok, now that that’s over with

let’s replay that movie where we’re in bed & I

grab your ankle – every time I

turn it just a little, the equity of the house

increases & decreases. We feel richer

then poorer

then richer

then poorer

then sandwiches


*


I hold our ankle over your head for

leverage

& lean in the direction of need


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Justin Sirois is a writer living in Baltimore, Maryland. His books include MLKNG SCKLS (Publishing Genius) and Falcons on the Floor (forthcoming, Pub G.) written with Iraqi refugee Haneen Alshujairy. He also runs the Understanding Campaign with Haneen and co-directs Narrow House. Justin received individual Maryland State Art Council grants in 2003, 2007, and 2010.