Five Seconds; or The Time it Takes to Decide

right now

          four drafts of suicide

stuffed in pocket –

an extension

cord

wrap

around neck

not enough alcohol

to last through the chokes

and spit

I am my little brother’s

birthday. I am in the mouth

of a dog – managing

not to get caught between

it’s teeth. I am a single

            leaf of grass

               decaying

               becoming