the object
BY GLENN SHAHEEN
The killing was in the corner of the room
where it would be unobtrusive the killing
was gaudy its colors brash and non complementary
when we finally received it the killing was
worn from use but rustic in charm its
contours and fabrics pleasant on the fingertips
at first dark and shortly before our alarms
go off the killing begs to be fed and we
oblige it the killing mewling about our legs
our guests come for snacks they come for
drinks and repartee and they are envious
of the killing we might call it our killing
but everything is ours only temporarily
our children eye the killing and take comfort
that the killing will one day be theirs an
inheritance or something to remember us
wherever we have gone the killing has been
appraised it is valuable for a killing its
features are much larger than they seem
outwardly in it we store rings trinkets
important papers the killing caught a bird
and let it free because we commanded it
so obedient and precious this killing
