the oasis

his oasis of home
is dusty.
the palms,
the pool of blue
in the middle
of the living room.
the pretend
tree, the stiff
plants that need no
water, or care.
a black kitchen phone
that hardly
rings.
the stuffed
animal
on the wall with
button eyes
and a fearful stare.
the pictures of family
from some
distant year.
a box of ashes
from
rex the wonder dog.
the bed with two ravines,
where love
was made, where books
were read,
where sleep dissolved
the day.
home sweet home.