in a dream i’m in a basement
my daughter in dilemma is above
with her boyfriend—they’ve made too much
popcorn, “DADDY! WHAT DO WE DO?!”

i notice that’s not even her boyfriend
but a patron saint for all white boys
and—also—we’re at my mother’s but
like jake from state farm i say “you eat it?”
…i sip from a cup my coffee. 

               a metaphor for messes?

i sip. then i awake—a pup is on my pillow.

which is odd in of itself
because i own no pillows. not a single one.