Seeds

There are a couple
of skin tags on my neck.
I have an appointment
with a dermatologist
to have the skin tags removed.
The dermatologist said
these small benign growths
of flesh are simply signs
of “maturing.”
He means “getting old.”

I, though, have my own diagnosis.
These skin tags are actually seeds.
I’m going to ask the dermatologist
to give the skin tags back to me
after he lops them off.
I’ll take them home and
plant them an inch deep
in a sunny part of my yard.
I’ll be sure to water them
at least twice a week.

Okay. Laugh now.

But early next autumn,
when you see a younger version of me
at the laundromat, the gas station,
standing in line at the drugstore
or walking the dog,
you’ll know that I’m at home,
sitting on my ass—
laughing at both of you.