I rise before dawn
Most days
There is promise in the brightening sky -

I linger long
Over coffee with hot fluffy milk, as
There is also promise in the rich bitter rush,
Even as it passes me by.

Possibility and memory
Fight over turf
In both your heart and mine -

While inside my tired mind
The voice fed by too many books
Tries to be kind,

And fails.

My darling, she says
You are shiny and beautiful
And no doubt have the smarts -
But you're a *****! Can't you see?
A cold-blooded ***** who breaks hearts.

Not so! I exclaim,
Defending my honor,
I have always walked the high road
And I look back at her facelessness -
Her shallow reserves -
I'm convinced she's a goner.

And then you cheered for me!
Before turning your back,
And looking down at your screen,
Gathering your steam
Traveling as you flee -
You are walking down a path
Toward a horizon I cannot see.

While the voice laughs with cruel glee,
I pray you won't yet forget about me.

Without your eyes to look into,
I stare with emptiness, out to sea.