Fall 2008
Theories of Gravity
I'm switching from cicadas to worms.
Because they sleep in the earth.
Because the way back is down,
and I hate traveling alone.
In a recent email you wrote lines
where buildings and sidewalks meet
but left out everything else.
Wind smothered your red dress
like butchered moonlight trying to crawl back into your heart,
stars appeared as kissing mouths tied into knots.
When I grew tired of looking at you I wrote
her eyes are black umbrellas in the snow,
white blooms with little burned hearts.
Now I've forgotten what you look like.
Patrick Hass recently completed his MA in Writing from Portland State University and has been previously published in Esquire.com, Phoenix Downtown and Willamette Week.