I once snuck up on oblivion

oblivion laughed, said
“you got me!” 

I once wrote “catastrophe” within

parentheses (to contain it)
I am sorry for my brainwaves   

the way they creep up on you

in your sleep; I tire often
of these conversations

a secret: you can tell 

I'm getting tired by the way
I fold up napkins or receipts 

into swollen disappearances

(I am not actually getting tired
I am actually getting very afraid)

I believe in myself like I believe
in the plague: historical occurrence

unavoidable tragedy; funny silence