early sobriety

Don Farrell

can you recall the barren years within

every minute without

booze, as the heat of it

held your child mind in interrogation, red-faced

trying not to get caught 

thinking and knowing

they are only asking, how’s it going.

but how do you say in german,

i’m afraid

the air is trying to suffocate me.

the sun is broken, water

has no taste…a stale taste, my skin is

invisible and buzzes like a mosquito

in the dark. when will my eyes see outward.

how do cacti mate.

where do i put my hands.