his Math
I accepted then found
Theorems full of holes
Mechanical equating
Screws loose
Junk proofs on an old wood table
One Plus One Equals Yellow
Not legal, ever
In the Real World
When I wronged her months ago
She spoke to my calamity
With kindness
With humility
To her surprise, she empowered me
My ego now in overdrive
We’d make the Thousand Mile Drive
And I’d stay silent, in my self-defense
And punish her for her offense
Of trusting me with honesty
She wanted what I’d promised us
My best from me
Instead I killed her, once back then
Plus each day since
Her, my best friend
Her ghost grieves to this very day
But I am okay
I walked away
Never allowed to know you
To say, “welcome,” or, “nice to meet you”
Always an outcast, a fraud, an impostor
It was you who stole my hat
It was you who called me yellow
One would ask, “Wouldn’t it be lovely?”
Driving down gridded streets that sometimes wound East, then South.
Thinking of shutters painted contrasting colors, or perhaps altogether removed.
One imagines children’s summertime voices.
Carefree and popsicle glee, front sidewalks their territory.
As it should be.
One seems perfect there.
Small and yellow, with miles and miles of welcome.
Surely big enough for whatever weather.