uses for a plastic bag

carrying the ghost home.
filling it to the brim with apricots.
to remove the dress
from the blender. to hold
the fresh liver. to put
over the head of a monster
when it emerges from an open window.
pulled over a sneaker
to invent a winter boot
when the storm comes
sooner than promised. 
as a sail when the ships loses
a wing. as a bowl when all bowls
have cracked right down the middle.
to deliver a gift when there is
no wrapping paper. for guilt.
for reconciliation. forgiveness.
for your mother's dirty potatoes
she gives you when she visits
& does not come inside, 
just lingers in the doorway.
a neighbor's cucumbers 
because his garden grew too many.
to ferry bottles of shampoo
& body wash from the car 
into the black hole. to throw up into
on the car ride when 
you would not pull over.
to clean muck from the bottom
of the sink. harvest tin cans.
pull over your hair while dying it red.
avoid stains. to pluck
a dead bird from the sidewalk
& hold it for a moment
wishing it would come alive 
& be furious at you.