J.M. Schmidt

Desire

If I can't have a 12'x12' blue tiled hot tub on my deck beneath the redwoods

I at least deserve a jacuzzi tub in my bathroom with a skylight.

If I can't have a jacuzzi tub with a skylight

I need at least a deep bathtub

If not a deep bath tub

I want at least a shower

If not a shower,

at least a sink

If not a sink,

at least a spigot and a hose

If not a spigot and hose

then a nearby source,

like a river or a well

If no nearby source

then I’d desire a sanitized fifty gallon drum

and some kind of water-catch system

and promised rain

If no drum and system, if no rain,

then I guess I could get by with a few gallons

If no gallons,

I suppose I could adjust

to a water bottle.

If no water bottle,

then I'd ask for a sip

of someone else's water.

If no sip, then I would like to be able

to bite the sides of my tongue

to release what saliva is left.

And if no saliva, then

I want to have the presence of mind

to remember the time I floated

in the 12' x 12' tiled hot tub.