Being a writer is like

guaranteeing the stone
will skip clear
across the lake
-impossible-

halving
an alligator thick
harvest squash
with nothing but
a plastic butter knife
-impossible-

Writing is looking up in the cafe
when the coffee goers are gone,
listening to the tired busboy
with no tips
rattle the dishes in the back
an empty shop –
and realizing
your idea with
shoulder dysplasia
finally
birthed itself
into words
just as everyone else
sinks into their chairs
at home.

While the shop is empty,
the windows are dim,
but I am just beginning.

This is writing.