DEATH IS A BEAUTIFUL CAR PARKED ONLY

                        For Emmett

Death is a beautiful car parked only
to be stolen on a street lined with trees
whose branches are like the intestines
      of an emerald.

You hotwire death, get in, and drive away 
like a flag made from a thousand burning
      funeral parlors.

You have stolen death because you’re bored.
There’s nothing good playing at the movies
      in San Francisco.

You joyride around for a while listening
to the radio, and then abandon death, walk
away, and leave death for the police
      to find.