Level

The cedar was expensive,

but the glue was just whatever was in the drawer.

I hung it by the kitchen window

so I could see the life I’d invited in.

Tonight the wind is pushing the wood

against the aluminum siding.

A blue jay landed on the roof

and the floor gave way by an inch.

I can see the jagged split now,

where I drove the nail in crooked

and didn't bother to pull it out.

The bird didn't even stay to see it fall.