while in hospital
once thought unintimate friends of friends
had worried your lack of phonecalls with unexpected grief
claimed your house keys
sent you cards
lifted your dog apart the carpet painfully shed
then fed beyond dissonant owners at loss
familiar with table legs the both of you have chewn
little pity for either but to swallow for dogs and for yourself

necessary we must clean your home
must for you, for the dog
whichever peace we are inclined
under which this improbable hill buries us both
we clean your place in fear of our own bed
and of all hairs
i want our peaceful illusion to return to - and a home to come to
the light may fail to shed on us due to the blinds
however we desperately dust
while in hospital