trout

Wand

Alison Wong

you order a long black with a small jug
of cold milk, I ask for a cup of hot water

here they come – a long black, two small jugs
one of hot milk, one of hot water

you look at me, say I'm beautiful
I wear secondhand jeans, an old sweatshirt

                    *

last night I wore the necklace you gave me
a black evening dress with no back

I said, Come and sit here beside me
you said, Don't tell me what to do

                    *

I stand in the mall at a marked
down table playing with a Rainfall Wand

thousands of silver balls fall
down thirteen storeys of pink plastic

the label reads mesmerizing tropical rainfall sound
I close my eyes, turn in your hands