Interior Decorating

Photo from The Cleveland Museum of Art on Unsplash

The cruelty is a dish of tines
to be eaten by hand. The mural
behind the table pictures a furious
ocean cradling a seagull. You’re

on your way, you say, but slammed
the brakes to avoid a deer. We will
drink another thimble of air, praise

you from afar, and your efforts. Each
time we look at the portrait
of the sea beside us, the wave

is placed differently. Across town,
the deer won’t leave your headlights’
arms. Go ahead, open the bottle you

planned to bring, raise a glass while
you wait. The painting’s water has
frozen, the seagull flown away. Polish

off that bottle, we toast you from afar.
The deer lifts as if by strings and
disappears into the treetops. We are
a painting for you to see upon arrival.

We are poisoned and we are gone.