M & C asleep in the bed together
M wakes first
how do I look he asks
matted hair cracked lips parched throat slack jaw not good says C I ll make the coffee
C makes the coffee and pours it down M s throat
no no just joking she pours it nicely
and sets it down before him

think I can go to work asks M
no no I wouldn t she says no no call in sick
M calls in sick a sick day or no make it a
personal day he says into the phone

M looks in the mirror
what will you do today he asks
how bad do I look I don t look so bad
I think I ll work on these full size paintings
of the universe says C
then I ll knit a few more strands on my DNA
that ll take you a lifetime says M
that s the idea thinks C

M & C sit down for dinner
pass the salt says M pass the pepper says C
the evening passes
M & C lay in the bed
sweet dreams says M
C looks to the ceiling and falls asleep

C & M awake in the bed together
how do I look asks C
flat hair dry lips crusted eyes slack jaw
lookin good says M I ll make the coffee
M makes the coffee and pours it down C s throat
how s the painting coming asks M
how s the knitting
fine says C all done all done says C
lays the paintings neatly on the bed
the daisy chain of DNA placed beside it
C returns library books she finds lost keys
forgotten passwords are remembered
C lays down on the bed and lets it carry her a rushing river
morning finds C gone
the universe and the DNA with her

M wakes and looks in the mirror
how do I look he asks
matted hair cracked lips parched throat slack jaw
not good he says and lets the day pass


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