temperature

moments later

after i had slammed the door
bit my nails
and clenched my jaws

after i had cleaned out
the old vegetables from the fridge
mopped the floor
buffed and waxed it
at three in the morning

after a thirteen mile run
in the rain, in the cold

it was after i befriended
seven glasses of strong amber

after i had brushed my teeth
walking room to room
standing with one hand on my hip

after i had stared
at my own crunched brow
in the mirror

it was after i decided
that this day was done
and reached toward the lamp
from my bed

that i saw the strand of hair
caught under my thumbnail
a glint of light brown
long curved and wrapped around my finger