star

I didn’t get out of bed this morning for twenty minutes

Lying in the dark in hopeful ignorance

Then I see my mother in the hall and I’m six years old again —

She has bad news —

I think I live upon a bridge

I’m too afraid to cross.

I’ve set up camp for the time being

(Now so much time’s been lost.)

The water’s too far down to drink

And the fish are out of reach.

Some people vote, but never think,  
Their choices shallow, quick to sink.  
They cheer and boast, with voices loud,  
But wisdom’s lost inside the crowd.  

I hate the way he talks

But his voice sends me to laughter

I hate his hair

And yet when he runs his hands

Through it

I get butterflies

I hate the way he is everywhere

But I look for him

The Teller

James is asleep, and dreaming of dreaming of a beautiful girl.

I feel her bracelet cold on my wrist

I taste the coffee bitter in my mouth 

I smell her perfume drifting in the air 

I see her standing over me, strong and beautiful