1.

coffee, a pad
the seat cold near the window
the brain behind closed eyes
expands, the body missing
I'm on to something
just before a dead end


2.

we had eggs in an all-night deli
staggered early to the practice room
to memorize Brahms
a jazzman listened outside the door
don't know what he got out of it
you said, "this is our youth"
Now I crack open the eggs
picking the shells from the pan


3.

the body speaks to me
in dry cough
yesterday a frozen spine
do they say tough old bird?
crunch me, knead me
iron out the sinews
lay me out, wrap me back up
remind me of the supple hours

Beth Levin

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