willendorf

The first time I have been inspired in a long time...

~~~

Is this how the nights will be
once we are across the miles?
Nights spent on a porch listening
to crickets, traffic, planes and people?
Nights spent with strained eyes scanning
across words on pages innumerable.
Nights spent "being industrious" and not
"wasting time," as if time were currency
to be spent, saved, squandered.
Nights spent waiting for the digital clock
to show it's no longer too early to get in bed,
into that big bed all alone where I might
need another blanket now to stay warm by myself.
Nights spent trying to be productive.
Nights spent staring off at darkness or
at light shining between the spindly fingers
of that oak just over the balcony.
No more nights spent laying silent,
eyes aligned, smiles synchronized.
No more nights spent laughing at cheap jokes,
mocking movie actors, lacing fingers together.
Is this how the nights will be? Me, alone,
remembering different kinds of nights,
picturing your eyes, lips, fingers, collarbones,
all alone on this balcony.