As things fall apart, our spatial reasoning is improving,
studies show. And spatial reasoning is good to have
when things fall apart. Like how scavengers get really good
at scavenging, or how, at the end of the party,
here’s a new mixed drink idea. And mixed drinks,
also, are a go-to for when things are falling apart,
there with the last of the pigeons and the statues in pieces.
The story’s a weight. So you share it, which is heavy lifting,
but it’s no longer trapped inside you, like someone newly undrowned
who’s good now at breathing. And now look at me,
I’m very good at reading news articles in thirty seconds or less.
I’m learning new words. New recipes. Like 46,000
or something I can trot out at the end
of a holiday weekend, that we’re left, however, to grapple with.

*

The translation of “auf wiedersehen” is “I’ll be the same,”
because it sounds like it should be, which is how a lot of things
happen. And I know not to romanticize my donuts.
They were created to generate profits from people’s ruthless
longing for escape and comfort. It’s how the end comes
each time. One sees the raids getting closer. Or one sees
the rivers drying up. Or it’s a call from HR. One notices
the trash, suddenly. Maybe there’s a four-leaf clover
in there. Maybe a lottery ticket or boots.
As things go awry, we get to witness a lot of significant
events and Bowiesque sunsets. The first step
is Secure Your Own Oxygen Mask Before Helping Others,
the flight attendant informs us. It’s the kind of rational
thing one intends to do, until it’s time to do it.