Atheist

Please, I implore
do not give me a name that aims to define
clearly, the description fits, the label not libel
the appellation appropriate
but why grant it importance
a privileged position of relevance
that one must be stated to be
nailed down as
the pigeon jammed into the jug and stoppered
its coo and peep well contained
parameters set
for there are a great many entities, events and efficacies
in which I don’t believe
from zodiacs to ghosts
alien abduction to acupuncture
Oedipus complexes, gay conversion therapy
and lousy stinking yellow fairies
so no need to saddle me
with the least of it all

Water Cycle Woes

polystyrene lid
peels off curled paper lip of cup
set aside, allowing contents to cool
heat dissipates
steams into air
one minute passes
coffee’s hot rush taste-tested
deemed clement
lid picked up to be fitted precisely
sealed into place
hot condensation
piss-warm on the plastic #6 underside
has cooled to liquid
water dribbles across fingers and knuckles
and if cautions are not taken
will drip to pages
of the notebook or novel
little drop soaking in
spreading wide
smearing words
weakening thin sheets
that must be hastily raised
fluttered to and fro and blown dry
as hand is wiped on denim
and then
after all that
the sudden flash of anger
at the unexpected
in the first bright rays of caffeine
illuminating the night-grey mind
burning off fog and hoarfrost
can the cap be clamped firm back upon the cup