Night

asleep on a bench
the hard rap of a nightstick
startles him awake
–
dark rain-
wet newspaper
her only refuge

going to bed late
dreading the dawn for who knows
what the day may bring
–
blowing snow-
the coarse growl
of a passing train

stallions in the sky
rearing out of boiling clouds
thunder through the night
–
late fall snow-
wild horses fade
into the woods

lighting up the sky-
the glow of paper lanterns
adrift in the night
–
evening stroll-
the dance
of fireflies

lighting up the sky-
the glow of paper lanterns
adrift in the night
–
evening stroll-
the dance
of fireflies

the wind plays a cat
unravelling skeins of snow
as I walk along
–
the wee hours-
between my legs
a sleeping cat

encroaching shadows
race to fill the void left by
the crumbling day
–
sleeping dogs-
the shade of
a dying elm

starless winter skies-
ebon velvet overhead
diamond dust below
–
curls of silver-
the night sky pierced
by the moon

the new morning sun
shining through the mist after
a hesitant rain
–
sunset-
a sudden tattoo
on her tin roof

driving home alone
all the while the taste of you
lingers on my tongue
–
an awkward kiss-
moths flutter
near the porch light