Approach and the little ones

run the way one runs to escape

rain. My neighbor’s house

is on fire, you imagine your

neighbor saying. Suddenly

it occurs to you that, like

shortcomings, blistering grows

more permanent as the body

gets used to it. As luck

would have it, this day waited

patiently. Do you think the sight

of flies picking themselves up

means persevere? At her

book club, your wife recalls

her dream and there is nothing

you can do about it. Above her

hangs a chandelier. The kids

come home early. And no one

loves chandeliers more than I do.