Peace Offering

I still don’t know what to do
with the jacket hanging in my
closet. It’s not that old but like
a Brautigan novel is out of fashion.
Maybe it all comes down to math
and how for the first time in
my life I understand subtraction.
After losing two close friends,
a number that never seemed
large is now a mountain.
Of course raw fish has always
been worth the risk and my last
job offer was not.
The same tall priest in a black
suit I’ve seen a few times on the street
just passed me again. Perhaps
it is a sign that prayers when
they travel the length of Johnny Cash
will never be answered. On the other
hand this is my fist that looks
like a club and from time to time
I only use it on myself. For my
next trick it is holding a bouquet
of flowers, bright roses since
that is what you are thinking.
Here. They are for you. I’m serious.
Take them. They are all for you. Really.