Smoke Harbor

Smoke harbor – new day 
Curl up and uncoil, 
deflower and reload, refresh 
in crawling under my skin 
Under my toes the ground caves in 
Rethread and replace the grace 
of that moment with sleep 

Replace the increments 
of darkness with morning’s questions 
about the time, 
because the light finds its way in 

But don’t ask because I wouldn’t know 
Unfurl my outstretched arms  
to beeps and rings, to let them in 
To keep them outside 
the window, cars in line 
Harmony with their direction 
Objects of my affection 

keep their distance 
Distant grumbling, they whisper 
this need and that 
Always clocks to be punched in 
Not ever too much 
It’s too much 

MM 1999