the circle is getting smaller

my social

circle is decreasing with

each

passing day,

each

new death

that appears on

the back page

of the metro section.

she's gone,

he's gone too.

and good Lord,

down goes

Sally Mae Mcgillicuddy,

from my old high school.

so now it's down

to the mailman,

and my barista,

the garage mechanic,

and you.