"Watching You Pretend" by Kristine Brown
to say you’ve never felt
your chest shrivel up
tear apart like the last
remittance envelope for
the year’s second ride
on a two-faced ambulance
I sincerely envy
the upright curtness
of false confidence
over-rehearsed, sure
but repeated enough
that I’d walk away
if tasked with this
jaunty piano piece
I’d manage without
some meted grin
you’ve got your vodka
while I shake right after
the smallest macchiato
and while you pilot
with everyone’s trust
we’ve both agreed
on creaking balconies
that wonky curbsides
keep you walking straight
if only more people
feared less of life’s
impolite clarifications