June 29th

we look at paintings
as if the world could be our oyster

except an oyster isn't an oyster
just like
a cigar is just a cigar
is just an image
of a cigar or that
burned out hole in the tree

and we don't answer
because we're all too nervous
pack up all our clothes
knot them in plastic bags
'til they spill out of the car
like cabbages

and anyone will tell you
a cabbage is not a cabbage