In Situ

Rob Macdonald

When I finish my shower,

I see that the white floor

is poppyseeded, so it seem 

I’m about to leav 

a few foot-shaped holes

as proof of my hygiene.

It’s Pompeii, and I’m surveying

all the fear and grandeur—

my soles see ash. The past

was just as disastrou

as the future is doomed, 

these seeds I see.

Instead of stepping, I simply

drip. I don’t want to go out.

I don’t want to wear pants

or speak or expose my brai 

to radio waves today. 

Thank you, paralysis, thank you

whoever sprinkled a billio 

blue universes on my tile.

To you, I dedicate

this first deep breath. 

ROB MACDONALD lives in Boston and is the editor of Sixth Finch. His poems can be found in Gulf Coast, jubilat, Octopus, Sink Review, Birdfeast, H_NGM_N, and other journals. He has books forthcoming from Rye House Press and Racing Form Press.