the day you drink two
you wish a life with a little room for happiness
like you picture the sky purged of light
pollution so you can see at last the stars
for what they are brilliant ghosts
are what we are to each other
what we misread in ourselves
the rake taken to the rain-
naked october ground
you imagine a life bald of seasons
a california life full of ripe fruit
with vitamins, juice with sun, with sleep
a slaked life you no longer pay to keep
in this existence i am here for you
in the other too bright, i stay despite
Robert Andrew Perez lives in Berkeley and is an associate editor and book designer for speCt! in Oakland, where he also curates readings. He is an alum of the Lambda Literary fellowship and a recipient of the Lannan Literary Award for poetry. His poetry has appeared in print and online in publications such as DIAGRAM, The Awl, The Laurel Review and The Cortland Review. His first collection, the field, was published with Omnidawn in their pocket book series. He is currently writing a movie about a divorce and wine tasting; it’s a comedy.