A THING YOU NEVER THOUGHT COULD HAPPEN
by Josh Schneider

A mylar balloon
kept in captivity
in the shape of
a cartoon in time

succumbs to gravity
retreats from the gates
a kind of spiritual entropy
self-immolates

smiling like a monk
that knows but will not tell
till the sun sets
at midnight or later

on some days clouds
cover the sun
on some days
clouds stoop to your level

you put your face behind
a veil or screen texting
leave now, I told you
you thought it couldn’t get any worse

but you underestimate
the cruelty of Summer
just when you think
there are no more surprises

a chihuahua
with a vendetta
knocks on your door
serving you papers

Josh Schneider is a pisces who lives in Brooklyn. He earned an MFA from Columbia University and enjoys stargazing, shoegaze, and alliteration.

@jshmsh    @postreally