Dawn

I was born.
I saw a few things.
I wrote some of it down.

I lived for a little while, as we all do,
and I will die, as we all will.

I’m happy that I came out of
nonexistence
and saw the sun
before I go back.

Birthday

came out of the bookstore onto carson by comma coffee.
had an old paris review. cost me $5.50. not bad.
some paintings by woody guthrie were on the cover.
i couldn't read it. i was too crazy.

the guys in the bookshop were laid back and friendly. we'd talked a little.
the kid'd been sorting books, pulling them out of boxes.
he asked the older one who isadora duncan was. there was an old autobiography.
the old guy said he couldnt remember. "she'll know," referring to me. 
i dont know why he said it,
but he was right, so i told them who she was.
then i went out and walked. i had to hurry. 
i had to tell everybody the big news. 
i felt mad with it.

i stopped outside a restaurant. people were eating on the patio. 
good a place as any.
i had to tell everybody about my baby.
to tell the truth, i was kind of dizzy. too much excitement all at once. 
out of the blue, so to speak.
i felt like my whole body was vibrating. sizzling. i was infused with light.
i looked at the people. i looked at their plates. i looked at their decanters of wine.
they were just stuffing their faces and staring at their phones.
i had to wake them before they faded into nothing, there wasnt much time left for them.
they were killing themselves with gluten and sulfites. the phones were frying their eyeballs. they sat there talking too much and saying nothing.

well, i was gonna talk
and i was gonna say something.
i was gonna scream it at them.
and just like that i did.