My future self waits in line in front of me
paunchy with a round, doughy face hidden by graying stubble
worn by time and age
and sunken eyes that don't quite focus
on anything.
He says
Coffee.
Black.
I think
yeah that is me
and I want to ask
are you lonely
happy
does it all work out in the end?
I'm sure shrinks would have a field day
analyzing the order of the questions,
but I just say
The Same.

In Your Ear

Absolute Beginners
navigating narrow aisles
pressed together
between stacks of vinyl yesterdays.
We sift through New Wave
and Classic Rock
our fingers caked in dust
when we finally get to Soul.
Her eyes go bottomless
and her smile keeps stretching
while she holds court on Al Green
for at least five minutes
and I realize
this is the trouble
I don't mind.