a bad way to end the world

after Frank O’Hara

i was watching the news

and the president’s press conference

it was all very usual

when, quickly, i had a vision:

a towering wave eclipsing the city

which would have been a good way to end the world

but instead we are stuck with bats

and bandanas for masks

which are no good, really

but i won’t tell it to the neighbors who wear them

though i will share the infographics on facebook

in the grocery store

everything is an epic:

the slim-bridge journey to beef

the deep dive for eggs

suddenly

suddenly

suddenly

car horns still sound terrible

there are no such things as miracles

only distant women peeking through curtains

i have watched many midnight commercials

and have yet to buy Tupperware

i am sick of my doorstep

i might set fire to my porch

oh to be touched

to be touched

oh touch