She said, if you could kindly refrain from dropping objects where and when they cease to be of interest, it would greatly improve the lives of those around you.

A space has been created in your brain for advertising, magical thinking, and organized religion.

Brick painted the color of brick, an object turned into a sign.

“Poland was a rainy place with a lot of crows, man, and it was beautiful.”

The cat who joins you at the back window to watch squirrels on the lawn; the dog who briefly rests his head on your lap on the bench in front of the food co-op; the toddler one table over, offering her bottle to you—all touchingly unaware of what a shit you are.

Over the years, when I asked about other people’s work, he inevitably answered not so good. On a few rare occasions he said not so bad. I never dared ask about mine. I knew the answer.

Visible: not a good look for me.

He spent the entire two-hour mindfulness seminar contemplating the drink he would have after.

Fourteen year old girl, April 19, 2009
Today is Thursday. I saw my therapist. We doubled the dosage.
All I can think is one more time from the beginning.