through an open door,
I saw a neighbor running—
it looked like escape
through an open door,
I saw a neighbor running—
it looked like escape
because the air
is clear, the prolific stars
battle city lights
patio herbs—
dry with neglect—quivering
in cold wind
all their arms
outstretched over empty land
absolutely still
the child inside,
a hoop rolling alone, down
a road, the sun gone
night comes, we start
the dishwasher—it groans,
scrubbing the day clean
the shallowest mine,
the loosest clay, and you—making
something to hold me
some bridges exist
only in memory and can
never be crossed
the green that won’t
give up—believing no leaf
set for sacrifice
I see your
umbrella and pray you’re
not in the rain