A Slippery January

The neighbor had a baby in the bathtub

Then some asshole sent two bullets across the fence into the horses overnight

And I keep forgetting to put my parking brake on, sliding just a few inches before I jolt and yank it up hard

Has anyone made sure to check that the bolts securing the planet to its axis aren't loose?

My roller skates keep sliding a little more than physics should allow

I cut two inches off my hair in the bathroom sink. The frayed ends of my double braids, one, two

Did you know that vultures go first for the eyes?

It’s easy to forget until you’re searching for a familiar gaze

We slice them open to find the bullets

But they've veered too far inside, shattered, no evidence for the sheriff

The slick blood dries into rust on the ground

The baby goes back in the tub, for a wash this time

Each horse buried, once I cut a lock from each of their tails, one, two

Tonight I remembered to pull the parking brake before I let up my foot, and felt the car slipping backwards anyways

I even double checked