I lingered while he collected........ so like each other as to be interchangeable........ shone on the rows of aftershave........ the endless aisles of Home Depot........ around a small uneasy face........ traces of toothpaste foam........ his hands expertly opening........ in the relentless heat ........ just outside the walls of Octatillo........ the temperature of the bath water in the hotel........ white enamel plaques with black lettering........ in a crowded notebook........ just outside the walls ........ Don't bother me now ........ while my files lay unattended........ so as to hide my hips ........ between shopping centers........ the smell of the fresh asphalt........ under the table........ tortilla chips, bowls of fresh salsa........ beside the tostada salad........ etched in the center of the aluminum clip........ the lettuce is limp........ routinely melting in the 110 degree August sun........ revealing white hairy feet........ the flabby remains of once prominent muscles........ on whom his gaze lingered......... superimposed on natural disasters........ watched while I shredded the lettuce........ the place where my finger was cut........ To be on the safe side, ........ was running out of control........ go out and look ........ the defective water main lay exposed ........ a prexisting peach colored sink........ on the sidetable........ slammed shut behind him........ "See if you can delay him."........ On the doorstep was the curator........ taking with him the sound........ under the bourgainvilla ........ dumped his clothes out........ like the old song says........ "Hot day, isn't it?"........ Colorado," he replied........