Incremental

An animal whimpering in the long
hours of night— until you realize 
the sound has come from your 
own throat.
         Trembling maple
leaves outlined on cream-
colored sidings; musk
of previous repasts 
         souring in the cracked 
garbage bin. Someone unzips
a garment in another room
or jostles with the glassy
points of something
they either welcome 
or dread.