I too went in from the dark

I was standing
all clad in black
slowly smoking a cigarette
having a soft conversation
with the moon
saying
I trusted you once
and you led me astray
would you lead me astray again?
I am trusting you
then
I saw her
my neighbor
arriving home from her dinner
she was talking
her feet
shuffling
and I watched her
key her way inside
from the dark
I closed my eyes
took a slow drag
off my cigarette
let four tears
fall to gather at my coat
and thought
oh how beautiful the sky is tonight
I wonder
if this is the most beautiful
that I have ever seen it
then
I too
went in from the dark.

I too
went in from the dark.


January 27, 2010 akw

my room

the bare white walls
the mattress with no sheets
lying on the floor
the empty closet
the still fan
the empty space
the warmth
from myself
the small light
the nearly empty glass of water
the almost clean
but not quite
the silence
the quiet
the heat
the pen
the paper
my hands
torn and bleeding
the stillness
nothing
and no one moving
the finality
the boxes
and bits of metal
and plastic
these coats
hanging in solitude
my shadow
darkening the walls
a glimmer
a spot
a small black hat
an old blanket or two
a few bags
of nothing
I feel at peace
and for the first and last time
this room
feels as if it were mine.

January 27, 2010 akw