ALICE PERO

Harmony

Thinking that I need harmony,
I turn on the TV, find promise
in shiny ribs and chicken,
shellacked and perfectly lit
Two cute teens flirt
while soft strings
play smeared colors
(I don’t have HD)
A quick click brings
a weather woman, impossibly crisp,
talking about wind and drought
This brings a craving for wet
I wrinkle and curl, fold into the couch,
a parched tortilla seeking soft innards
Click again
Find an elderly couple clasping hands,
smiling at a man in a white coat
He offers them an 800 number to no hassle pills and bliss
I feel dry
Go outside and breathe real clouds
Tell myself to make it rain