Kristi Maxwell

The little mouse has claimed the kitchen, spread out like a rind,

and under the cedar beam is you: a tent, sturdy as that—with people through the slit

that mimics a shy face in profile

determined not to full-on.

                                    it's the soap again

slipping out the window

                        pigeon-holed an antonym

            of clean; what do you

                                    cling to…