After

(assignment: write a just when poem as in "just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water" from Jaws)

After a poor night’s sleep
that involved passing urine into bedpan twice
and 1 wicked attack of spasms.

After waking with a headache
that keeps going and going
at a rate the Energizer Bunny would envy
despite downing three Aleve
and half a pipe full of ganja.

After bout of writer’s block
that further delayed the deadlines
I was already behind on

After hours on phone
dealing with various bureaucracies
aiming to get basic medical needs met.

After even more hours discussing
transit, hotel room, and conference registration
and all that intervening issues involved in arranging that
for a body like mine.

After my kitchen sink
over ran it’s boundaries
causing an impromptu flood
that reviled Noah’s in rates of rise
and led to maintenance man invasion
and very freaked out puddy tat.

Just after dinner with my assistant,
a belly full of carnivorous comfort food,
and a shopping trip that yields
both tp and chocolate covered cranberries
has me thinking that this day
just might turn out okay.

I discover
the nasty, irreparable rip
in my trusty, two year old,
Timb0uktu bag.