Routine

In the morning I pour myself

a plastic cup of A&W root beer.

It’s too early for milk.

Then I go downstairs and try to listen

to the mouse running between

the floorboards.

Every now and then I think

I hear something.

I get really quiet

and try to crane my ears,

you know? Only it isn’t the mouse.

After a few minutes I feel

a giant burp coming on—

almost like inspiration,

but not really.

Dave Nielsen lives in Salt Lake City. He is the author of Unfinished Figures. His poems have appeared in The Southern Review, Poetry East, 45th Parallel, and other journals.