The $5 Loaf That Costs Us Everything

Stay a While and Listen

Sit a while, before the table we share becomes another locked shelf.

Have a piece of fish, grilled crisp, salted like old truths.

Pour a glass of wine, blood red, staining the rim, heavy on the tongue.

Here, tear into a loaf, still warm, its crust cracking like forgotten stories.

I have 3 cars at home, they are all old,

two 2002 avalanches, and a 2012 sedan.

I drove the sedan to work today, in flint,
its sitting in the parking lot of an old factory,
unlocked, with the windows rolled down,
the keys...
are in the ignition,
pulled out just enough to keep the chime from dinging.
The two trucks at my house,
sitting in my driveway unlocked,
keys in the ignition...
The door to my house is not locked, my wife is sleeping soundly
Of course 2 100 pound German Shepherds help her feel more secure,
but if you brought them each a cheeseburger when you came in,
they would happily enjoy them while you walked in the house.
Once you are in, you're not a stranger any more...

and...

isn’t that how it should be?

Thi…