Free Fall

Let the salt tears
stiffen your skin,

the door rattle,
the hinges sag,

Hang your coat
stiff on the hook.

When the sun burns the house,
warps the siding, blisters the paint,

slap a new coat on
before the sale.

Let the rain rust the roof,
water run through the seams.

Put the fire out
when it comes

with the bucket
with the hole.

Lift the pail
and feel the handle

cut into  
your palm—

the weight 
you carry free.