My brother-in-law understands water,
he has a saw to open up the truth of a problem.
My father-in-law’s patience for surprise drips
with a steady, unbroken stream,
into a seemingly unfillable bucket.
This morning they have plans to fix the world.
I have been hired to write poems for strangers,
to swallow their entire lives in five minutes,
set fire to their emotions, make them feel seen,
all while men fix a leak in my kitchen ceiling,
men I’ve only ever signed birthday cards to.

Carl Burkitt 2024