Canker Sore III

A crater,
all that remains.

I trace the outline with my tongue,
still can't help myself.

By tomorrow it will be gone completely.
Or maybe the next day.

It barely even hurts anymore.

Canker Sore II

Still there.

Every time
I feel for it,
it's still there.

Rough edges smoothing.
Sharp pain dulling,
and spreading
throughout the cheek.
It is evolving.

Evolving in to nothing,
I hope.

Canker Sore I

Canker sore
inside my cheek
down by the gum.

All day long
aggrivating it
with my tounge.

I just can't help myself.

Stray Potential

Strange compliments
on things I don't value
always make me question
my priorities in life.

A stray compliment to
my choice of screen name
makes me wonder if I'm
wasting a hidden talent.

Being told my hair looks good
on a day I forgot to brush it,
or told I smell great
on a day I forgot deodorant,
leads me to believe that
the time I take for hygiene
might be all for naught.

After a moment I'm collected,
realizing priorities differ for people.
But for that split second
I wonder if I've gone astray
and left behind a potential
for being something more.

Credit Scammers

Two strange men,
strange in two ways,
attempted to take
avantage today.

'Twas fraud on their minds
of the credit card sort,
and buying electronics
was their choice of sport.

Were I left on my own
they might have succeeded,
but my coworkers proffered
advice that was heeded.

When I told them I'd have
to check with their banks
they quickly responded,
"Thanks, but no no thanks."

Late Night Ruminations

Another midnight trip
to the convenience store.
Half dressed: sans socks, sans belt.

Back home, my dog waits for me
and liquor lines the counter.
This is what happens when I am left
to my own devices,
and vices.

At the store, the clerk talks about health;
He says spicy food is good for cancer
and advises regular colonoscopies.
His English isn't good enough
to understand my commiseration
when he tells of his sister's death.

Driving aimlessly homeward
(it is more direction than destination)
I consider the candor of such a stranger.
Then, in an intersection, I encounter another.

A man is crossing the road
and stops on the double yellow line.
With no one behind me, I wave him to pass,
but he just waves me on, with larger motions.
We trade gestures in this manner for a bit
before devolving into a staring contest.

Eventually, I concede and drive on.
Straight home, this time,
where I contemplate the men I've met.
Both giving of themselves to me,
and both who could not or would not
allow reciprocation.

At least my dog will let me show him a little love.

Sleeping In

A full day calls for
a full night of rest,
but how can I sleep
with so much undone?

The house is a mess,
the dog is depressed,
but my eye lids droop
and it's half past one.

I'll clean in the morn';
for now I need sleep.
I'll be up in time
to greet the noon sun.