Porch Light

I hope she leaves the porch light on

as I stumble through the briars which

catch on my clothing and tug and me

try and get me to stumble in the mud

I hope she leaves the porch light on

though I’ve been drinking and

this night is smoke-wrapped, wraith

sleep nudges the angst in my head

I hope she leaves the porch light on

though she knows I’ve been with other lovers

I carry their scent on my collar

and their numbers in my hollow chest

I hope she leaves the porch light on

though I am bruised and battered by thorns

my shoes are playing card thin

and even though I don’t know the street

I hope she leaves the porch light on

I hope she is home, sitting up in bed

waiting for me