platitudes for a loner’s heart sound like
styrofoam steak drizzled with meat juice colored water
hungry crunching and knowing i’ll be wanting soon
platitudes for a loner’s heart sound like
words that bark like signals and noise
my head perks like a dog’s ears when you speak your truth
until the games we play leave me confused
my scruff you rubbed the wrong way
platitudes for a loner’s heart sound like
i’m not allowed to be bored by this Modern Life Game but i am
every day
i just want to hold your hand can’t you see
but both of your hands are gripping your identity your job your race your face
and mine a story that’s not quite accurate
platitudes for a loner’s heart sound like
this Modern Life Game judging me
on the quantity of my happiness
not how sweetly and gratefully i felt the happiness i did feel
platitudes for a loner’s heart sound like
love closely modeled with the proprietary algorithm of an online dating site
meanwhile love just happens anyway
crazily, randomly, freaky, sparking, burning, without controls
how she made me feel with one fierce glance and the cutest smile
like i’m not some random man, not no dog any more
platitudes for a loner’s heart sound like
walking south down lyndale avenue
the mannequins and my store front reflections looking silently at me
and when i return north up the alley
the dogs in the backyards running along their fences barking at me
as if to say here’s some platitudes for your lonely heart
heat flow 