the marlo furniture exhibition

the picture

of the Spanish galleon

hanging

on her wall

is a frightening mish mash

of mustard

yellows.

fruit gone bad,

oranges and cherries

at the bottom

of a bag.

a sunset is wishful thinking.

maybe it's the sky

and the ocean

all on fire at once.

perhaps it's the end of the world.

i avert my

eyes when i come

through the door,

trying not to knock over

her porcelain

Dalmatian dog.

being careful not to trip

on the shag rug,

a depressing shade

of asylum mauve.

i'd knock on wood for luck,

but there is none.