October 30

October, like a bird my son has never seen
Until today, in his tenth time through the month.

October the penultimate, telling you the end
Is next but it’s the one after.

October shown without commercial interruption
With the generous support of spring, summer,

Birds, skunks, possum, screech owls, moonlight,
Children, snowmelt, drugstores, the sandman,

The sandman. October the candy wrapper
And the not knowing who opened it

And if it was you and was it yours
And does it matter. You blink your eyes

Because of all I’ve left
Out and which only you could tell yourself

And how it wouldn’t fit,
None of it, and that’s October, too–

The mirror you’ve been looking at
Forever that’s actually someone else.