the eighteenth
midmorning in early December
and i am drinking what’s left of the wine
outside the grey of the sky is cold comfort
like cucumber slices over the eyes
i am reading paris review—
the words roll like new coins
down the slums of my understanding
each breathy syllable
moves in with the ease of motion
that only money can offer
the way people talk
when everywhere they go
they are granted access
me? it’s my birthday soon
and i have enough people that
care about me to know
more wine is on its way
M L Woldman is the founder of Austin Poets' Union and Editor in Chief of Voluminous Crux Magazine. They have appeared in Austin Chronicle, The Daily Drunk, and Serotonin, among others.