Tetris
The neighbourhood is distinguishable
by its right-angles;
God-checkers; a wife’s eye
through the curtain;
People-carriers on the drive;
trees trimmed like cat’s ears.
The flight of a newspaper
hits the ground
at the same time
the toast is buttered.
Thank you, honey;
Plastic creaks –
the wire from the vacuum
around the couch legs;
perfect patent heels.
Books are stacked upon
the shelves,
academic curtain rails;
Hazlitt slot to Elliott;
missing her gap year.
The dust is gone,
the rind is thick
from the square cloth
on the bannister.
She sees him leave;
four lives disappearing –
her boys too –
slotting her fingers
down her throat
and each day the sky is falling.
