Actual mail and land lines

I know. But still

when I called I could see you there.

Our voices traveled intact,

they weren’t disintegrated

and reconstructed by Scotty

at the bridge. Mine came to you

through a walkable wire —

I could follow it from my house

to yours — and yours didn’t move —

and I could see you there

in the angle of light in the hall.

I had all that  that was solid. At least

that much of the picture was clear.

What kills love?

There’s word of a pollen borne

by migrating birds — of a wing-

and wind-driven affliction.

One cedes possibilities of nitrates —

what are they again?

marching to strangle key arteries.

I’ve tried fans, I’ve tried blood-

thinners. But dogs will die

and rabbits will fly

ere I figure this out.