i look around for data

for something to process

to let me know i am

where i should be

catching a glimpse

of the driver’s clock

on the dashboard

and looking out the window

at street signs

to make sure i’ll get to

where i’m going

or putting

my hands together

for one to tell the other

that they’re both

still there

or waking up

and looking around

to make sure

i’m in the same bed

i went to sleep in

or answering a question

with another question

to make sure my friend

is still here with me

wonder what day it is

and how old i am

to make sure that i am

behaving appropriately

looking at my

business cards

(that i never use)

to check my title

and see if i am

in the right office

trying to remember

a memory to see

if it was mine

or just a dream

or something else entirely