awake, to-night

exhilerating shortness of breath
I feel a new sense of insecurity
between by old teeth

welcomed with open paws
the rivers overflow their banks
flooded childhood rhymes

Mary and Jill fell in love
while Jack and Peter withdrew
into solitude

it can make you age

you know

we are mostly
water. drinking time

like wine

until night grows
quiet

like a hushed

gasp.

"awake" she said
and my hands felt weak
so I stopped thinking

her frown was almost right
as she walked away

I think now she may be carrying
my oldness in her pouch

for me

this river collapses

and I need to age

to feel alive

to-
night