i didn’t know i was
making a distinction
until it felt like too much
to get into later
my hair combed back
like linda i wiped my hands
on my ass like linda
when she knows
there’s more to do
looked for a clean shirt
my size in linda’s drawer
purple thongs purple thongs
with lace lighter like lilac?
asked to grab the plates
woman of the house
holding matching bowls
in my hands arranging them
with love and concern
a remarkable sense of duty
loyalty to my fellow man
loyalty to my little brother linda
the person i am in full conflict
with the person i’ve established
myself to be historically
hosing down the driveway
kneeling in the lapse
with cut flowers resting
on one knee touch them
the person hosing down
the driveway touched them
tarp mound catching sun
the color of the garden hose
cement stones lighter
around where the hose met
the house and the water got out
lifted the running hose
end to my lips
sucking at the clear funnel
like the small bird in a moving gutter
new basin he whirred to me
articulate little thing
i called him linda
i spoke through the water
llliiinnda
still within the displeasure
of one tented interval
acting itself out after the next
with no recollect of the first event
i took his relief as my own
just the same