2004/displace

A blue bird
on the pine
branch,
until the crow’s
caw chases him
away.
Just as I have
displaced
the person
who lives
where I am
house sitting
for the month.
Replacing her
shampoo bottles
with my own.
Clustering
my green glass
skincare bottles
on the sink.
My soap
in favor
of hers.
The kitchen
is more challenging,
I congregate
my spices and teas,
stainless steel
canisters for the
necessities,
my pan which
makes faultless
rice,
the colander
where I can wash
legumes and grains
without them falling
through.
All on the rolling cart,
trying to barricade
the cat who
goes everywhere.
To drink from
the toilet,
and then from
the kitchen sink.
I dust and clean
to nest and settle
in.
It’s what I do,
how I am.
Who I am.
I transform
wherever I go,
if I can
without making
anyone else
feel bad.

6/24/04