The Other Way

 
She lived on Long Island

teas

traveled cursory fares to work

Manuel performed

for peanuts—an elephant, Manuel loved peanuts

fostered separation like a toddler

8 months…11 months…15 months…
 
 
 
spending power, and giving it away

she realized

in scuffed, scarred time

–she herself had suspended–

gold is for fools

diamonds are a manipulated, bloody market,

naiveté is more precious than jade

and rain–restorative