paper is not truly paper
the faster today goes by.

eyes blink like crickets
that spent their years
navigating, interpreting
dances around fires
that won’t go out, ever.

a pencil beautifies
like $20 eyeliner
and four rows of ice
thrown on the street
as she slowly walks.

routine is a construct
chewed on by old flies.

Cat No. 98 of the 500 Cats Project