the birds
scream
this morning
no singing
just abject
terror
or perhaps
that is me
standing in
the shower as
hot water
does little
to loosen
the filth

a big day
a new release
same struggles
with a shiny
red ribbon
too tight
cutting off
circulation
wrapped around
my chest as
the birds scream
a turgid hello
to the bashful
sun draped
in gray

standing
stone still
in a fog of
beading steam
as the city
fumbles awake
a curious
smile masking
a maddening
distemper