BREWERS AT THEOPHANY

we always tell ourselves we will be careful
and not do the bad thing
that is the easy thing
this is the fast thing
that is the cheap thing
we will be so full of care
we will not slip up
not even once
we know that bag is weak
will rip
will not hold up
will spill ourselves upon the floor
we know the word we could say
and have the drink
thrown in our face
it was planted in us
for us not to say it
we won't let
the breeze in
the sand in
it wheedles
finds its way in through
a hole in our back
it worms its way to the word
we said we would guard
this is why we must be vigilant

maybe that is why
krista stokes gave me tweezers
as a favor at her fourteenth birthday party
to protect me from the breeze
the sand
to fix my face
ready