Joshua Keiter

I suppose it is not so 
Unsurprising 
To be unable to recollect 

Which events in the past 
Took place in which years 
After all we have lived 

So far this year waiting 
To know when this year 
Will be over and yet 

Still the waiting continues 
In the meantime the past 
Recedes like a future event 

We have no way to gauge 
If it will ever take place 
The horses on the carousel 

Remain covered in plastic 
Drowsy from such disuse 
Their prolonged hibernation 

A reflection of our inner state 
Such pageantry and whimsy 
Stilled in the brisk afternoon 

Not even collecting dust

Somehow when we were all looking 
We have reached the point 
We knew was unthinkable 
When this whole thing began 

Though preventative measures 
Could have been taken in earnest 
Some of us did not take them seriously
Enough now there is not enough 

Willpower to make even the slightest 
Difference in the outcome of suffering 
Going against every instinct 
That created us as a distinct species 

Our survival depends upon each other 
Otherwise alone we might as well not bother

The cats seem friendlier to each other 
And more ready for snuggles 
Since we moved 

Somehow all our possessions have enough room 
And we seem to remember where
We placed them mostly 

It is easier to avoid the news of the day 
Even though a passing helicopter 
Might be part of it 

The houses are less lonely with lights in their windows 
We walk the avenues seeking new places 
And confidently find our way back 

Our constant motion a sense of arrival

The benefits of losing 
A well worn routine 
Through a change in condition
Are jarring and manifest 

For instance my Fitbit 
Has registered more than 
Twenty thousand steps 
Every day of the past week 

Simply by moving things 
From one place to another 
Also there are apps I haven’t 
Even bothered to open 

That used to consume 
Most of my waking hours 
Now that I know I don’t need 
To rely on them for distraction 

It is time to get things done

Some music is meant 
By way of tears 

In recognition of how 
Through happenstance 

Grateful for returning 
In the fullness of time 

To the people who 
Brought you here over 

These barren hills 
And brilliant clouds 

To dream uncertainly 
Of all the music to come

Moving Haiku 

Nothing compares to
The elation of knowing 
Internet installed 

Except the feeling 
Of stacking empty boxes 
Or finding the thing 

You thought was missing 
From the other thing—maybe 
Just trimming the tree

Overheard In My Head While Moving

I.

Stuff is neverending
Stuff makes more stuff
You pack one box and there are two left to be packed
It’s like an inverted Zeno’s Paradox
Do I have the right reference?
You haven’t used that in three years throw it out
Why aren’t the movers here yet?
Wow they’re done already that’s some serious elbow grease
Driving at sunset is so stirring except for the sun in your eyes
Seriously that’s like a freaking Thomas Kinkade on the horizon
There’s so much to explore in our new town
Let’s not go back to clean the old place tomorrow

II.

Actually it would make sense to clean the old place today
Let’s get a picture at the Biden Welcome Center
Also some Popeyes chicken we need our protein
Hot damn the movers are delivering first thing tomorrow
Okay one car load of stuff then we have to clean
Maybe a carload and a half
Possibly a carload and a half and another half
Thank the holy goodness for parental units and friends
Otherwise we’d be screwed
How is this sofa piece screwed to the other sofa piece??
Getting there
One trip to the trash before another trip to the trash
We’re in Zeno’s Paradox territory again aren’t we
You’ll be my second set of eyes
Because there’s no way I can see out the back window
Isn’t traffic more tolerable at night?
Let’s not unpack the car before bed
Okay just seven trips then

III.

We need cash apparently what is cash how do we get more cash
Holy shit the movers are here already!
Damn they move fast
You carried three of those I can barely handle one
How are we paying again?
Okay we’re done time for the bread and milk and eggs
And a ready to heat pizza because we deserve it
Hell yeah this Aldi has wine and beer!
Let’s eat and take a walk through the affluenza district
Don’t forget the cat litter
Time for bed yes time for bed
Just 42 more boxes to unpack first
Then everything will be just right
s is most certainly true

The light today 
By which we give thanks 

Illuminates by virtue 
Of an aggressively dark year 

That those who we 
Are fortunate to see 

By whatever capacity 
We shape the light to travel 

Are always with us 
And always have been 

And always will be
And ever amen

If you listen closely
To the silence

The empty streets
The lonely houses

The barren shelves
The broken chords

If you remember loss
As part of your waking

You will hear them sing
Be grateful for this