Hydra

saying No to Spiderhouse 
was not the first No

before that I said No
to magic brownies on the bus

on the way to the game 
after Matt died

not that it matters. Berg 
played great. I’ve said Yes 

to magic since. before that 
I said No to Grace

who liked my hair, and 
Cristi who skipped lunch with 

me in the library. crossword 
puzzles, Myers-Briggs 

I’d change, she’d stay the same
once I thought her legs 

were heads
so I ran her into these

before that I said No 
— just No. I haven’t been able 

to write about that 
the other side of the retention 

pond, where the greenbelt 
starts beyond 

the old couple’s yard 
they’d make you take 

ridiculous angles around 
their golden grass. the last 

warning is the last metaphor
— green flung around 

until it's brown
I would have said No in stride 

it continues to this day
I return to everything wet 

I don't fear change 
I fear letting them see it