The Great American Home Desserts
Cookbook earns its keep, she says.
She texts a picture of it and Gourmet
Today, another thick tome, both
wedged between bureau and chair.
It’ll do, we think. At least for tonight.

Her ex-boyfriend has made copies of
her keys. I am 2000 miles away.

I used to say: you deserve kindness
and respect. Trust yourself. I also said:
you are a sunbeam, a lightning bolt.
You are the wind and the tide.

Now, over the phone, I help her
barricade the door. I am dead calm.