what is life, is it
only carrion vantage
browning between fuel pumps
the windless hair of another Wendy’s
waving at someone behind me?
is it that turtle in the road?
is it pulling over
though no one’s watching – in fact, no one’s
ever watching but Derrick, who
constantly
dips his head underground and
constantly
gargles the same response to my questions –
is it pulling over
to pick up that turtle and
carry her off the street?

i did it, Derrick. i did something
magic

but you didn’t see