when you are a seagull

I will not be the ocean

 

at five I will bring your red pill

and forget to bring water

 

I have seen you set fires

and scream with your fingers

 

and duck to the side

like a Judas goat

 

heard you tell strangers

the birthday cake story

and leave out the part

where you’re falling down drunk

 

old newspaper man

 

never let truth get in the way

 

whiskey on you like cancer or lemons

 

I will bring your red pill

when you are a seagull

 

I will not be the ocean and let you forget.