2:34 am

There’s something in the hollow

Bump of bone

Against each ninety degree

That raises the edge

Of an ear in mid dream.

Somehow marrow’s intellect surrenders

To the verity that it isn’t

The stranger I’d been anticipating

I’d awaken to:

Calloused palm against moistened lips;

A barrel to the crest where wisps meet nape;

Or loot cascading from elbow crooks,

Strewn across the outer parts of the

Sheath constructed to deflect the villain.

Far worse:

Searching hands

Against darkened walls

That dissipate

Where they stand.

And the crumbling that existed

Before sound

As various versions of

Former selves

Collide to the linoleum.

It was me who landed

Beside bare foot heels

In the spot I’ve been

All these years

In alternate states

Of awe

And submission.

Modesty’s irrelevant.

Watch as my heart beats beside me.