ISSUE 12

Paul Ilechko 

 

The Things You Need to Take 

 

take it with you     he said     take it

on the bus or the train     stack it

with similar items in the luggage area    

 

I understand that it’s a disaster    

but you still have time to get away    

so much is made from concrete these days    

 

it sucks in the weather and blasts it back

into your houses and streets     it boils

the oceans using only metaphors

 

turns the lakes into algae soup     take the time

to topple a tree     so that it spans the crevice

you walk carefully across     your feet

 

at forty-five degree angles

to the direction you are heading     you can

do it     just don’t look down     turn all

 

the lights out before you leave     photograph

the intricate brickwork on the old

downtown skyscrapers     you can use them

 

as currency where you are going    

the seabed is being cleared for some kind

of agriculture     the plants they grow

 

resemble angel hair     you’re leaving so much

behind    storm clouds     cancer

palm trees swaying over the patio     the concept

 

of the romantic comedy     take it with you    

he said     everything will fit behind the driver’s seat

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