Into Night

Inspired by the music of Patti Smith.

Will the tides tell me stories 

will they keep my fears quiet at bay, 

I’m ever wanting 

wanted by you

until the sun spreads it’s fingers 

whispers on my skin.

I told my lover-wanter 

that I would make due, 

well into the night growing cold

I’d pay my dues. 

Then he sighed and rolled over

his back a marble wall I couldn’t climb

so I moved closer

said his name, 

rolled it off my tongue, 

could no longer try 

I spoke his name into the muscles of the great wall, 

held on because it might crumble, 

I prayed his name 

and he stirred… 

The Joy before The Look

he remembers our firsts, 

my fist on his jaw, 

our brawls in moonlit squalls 

of parking lots late at night

nobody watching but our ghosts 

who lay together now and look back 

and think nothing.

With nothing to say, he touches my cheek 

“so you do care,” I say, 

and he takes me in his hand

squeezes

the man feels just like home

feels like we’re done with the clouds

spilling rain 

done with the dance that always changes.

Holding on, staying inside

knowing it will always be like this, 

holding on, looking in the eyes

of he who will always be like this

this hold on us is our last reprise 

until the morning comes.