I see you sleep
want to lift you up, say
I will love forever
every detail of your construction
cheek that stretches as it rests against your arm
beard painted with such devotion
shoes that peek from beneath a cracked robe
those shoes are attached to feet
feet attached to a heart
and a brain
all of them asleep
nothing in you thinks or feels or cries
or sees me
despite all the nights I’ve stood here
on the other side of this window.

When it's dark we go to see the plants
no one else knows they're there
in the window of the entrance way
bright Mexican display of
flowering hearts
that laugh and love
love and laugh
I've dreamed of showing you
since the night we danced.

Could you be here?
the street sign, trees, puddles of wet snow
murmur Yesssssssss
father and daughter playing a card game
with the woman behind the counter
whisper You could, if you tried
the drawing and origami birds
folded up inside an exhibition booklet from Krakow
urge you
to be here.

Arrive early
release the thrill
let go the honor
     see that spot? Or shadow, there, in the courtyard
       beneath the tree?
lets imagine
draw the scene
     make marks, straight lines
       (at least try)
remind ourselves of how it thrills
to be the first
awake.

Throw down
Cruise deep
interesting views
through your sleeping curls
and thighs.

Remember the party!
Laze under blue pearls
drums like lemon shots
and cocoa shells.

Cruise into your sleeping curls
and thighs.

This town scares me
the Power, the Glory
at seven-fourteen AM
behind the door.

This town shows me
irresistible pity, love
ragged and conspicuous
cockerels fight.

Last night
You confessed your plans
I thought
"this might be fun to watch"
but I sat and shook like crockery in a hot yard.

Lets stay here
let the blind teach us
as the sun does to a child.