August 4, 2026

no worries **

I think you were trying to tell me how it ends.
How there’s no plan for anything, no preview
of what’s going to happen next. Obviously,
I want to step in, say, No worries. But I’m trying
not to encroach, or bring the car around
when you’ve already said, “I can do it.”
I aim to let you get past the doors of the ice cream factory
in your own way, or order a club soda, or fill up on Palomas,
or grow pigtails. Just know that when I see you from the deck,
I’ll be the one waving.

** This poem was inspired by the following snippets of conversation I overheard today:

• Are you trying to get past us?
• No worries. No worries.
• We just filled up at the Ice Cream Factory.
• I don’t know, I think you told me once.
• Do you want us to bring the car?
• No, I can do it.
• I’m going to step in here.
• There’s no preview of what’s gonna happen next.
• Just a club soda.
• When it ends, all it says is that Spiderman will return.
• I’m trying not to encroach here.
• Look at those pigtails!
• I’ll have a Paloma.
• I see you from the deck - I’m waving.
• There’s a plan for everything.