ketamine

i.v. in.
he closes his eyes,
says,

“in vietnam,
the canopy pressed so tight
overhead
day stayed dark—
like being blind,
like now, with my eyes
shut. but sound everywhere.
you listen.
you have to listen.”

i’ve never seen jungle
that thick.
don’t need to.
i believe him.

he drifts closer—
“green’s a good color.
lilacs, they smell sweet.”
i smile—
i agree.