May I ask you a favor?
Join me for a walk
I won't steal too much time
Or demand you to talk

I'll lead if you follow
Just don't question my aim
Mysteries concealed within
Consist of heartache and pain

These streets buzz loudly,
But your presence bears peace
We're almost there, I promise
Around this corner, a few more feet

Enter this doorway
We're taking the stairs
I forgot to mention, you needed sneakers
A comfortable pair

Too late, up we go
Breath is heavy at the top
Your heart pulsing, a little frustrated
A dead end as we stop

I unlatch the bolt
And we walk through the door
Onto a roof under the night sky
Stars lighting our dance floor

You sing and I twirl
As we draw closer to the ledge
Peeking over onto the city
Down below, a world outstretched

And out of nowhere, it happens
I scream into the air
You stare at me baffled,
But I've released all worry and care

I glance at you and smile
You laugh and shake your head
Then climb onto the rim
And yell until your face turns red

That's all I wanted
It's what we need
To take a stroll, scream a little
Spend life in good company

© JL Smith

last night was a long
one and nearly painful with
how much rest you didn't
get. in bed at nine
but only half-asleep by
eleven. awake again at quarter
after two and staring at
the ceiling desperately until ten
minutes before your alarm to
pass out again. ten minutes
after you fall asleep you
are ****** awake, heart pounding,
chest heaving, groaning as you
kick off your blankets and
rise from your bed to
struggle through your morning routine.
then you realize you forgot
your breakfast while you are
already halfway out the door.
you decide to leave it
since you were almost late
anyway, which means you almost
have to drag yourself through
the rest of the day.

you want only to sleep.

that was last night, long
and painful as this morning.

h.f.m.