Looking For the Right Thing Among All the Other Things

The cheese grater, a stiff
slice of Parmesan.  The hand
rolled cigarette.  The knobs
on the stove all turned
to off.  The bottle of Budweiser,
its label corner
peeled.  Your dirty
fingernails.  Pistachios
in a cellophane bag, the shells
in the ashtray
overflowing.  The blackening
lung. The beginning
of your end.
The ruffled skirt, the wristwatch,
and the glass mustard jar
with a butter knife stuck
in it. The Bicycle playing
cards and the yet to be
sliced baguette.