Platform

A surface that absorbs my oils as well as my spills and scratches

A veneer permeable to the material beneath

Wearing with age, aging with wear

Prepared to decay, strengthened by care

Altar for reflection

For candles summoning the dawn

still sheltered from time

though light will pierce the bunker

as it abandons others

hot wax drying on your pillowcase

reminding us that real life is

managing energy—has the handle cooled yet

and should I ever take down the calendars