Early Night Dream

I was going to go to bed early, but I started watching T.V. which I never do,
so I allowed it as an exception, and put on my pajamas,
opened all the windows,
sat with alone with the T.V.
the soft sounds of the night
on Main Street.

I turned off the T.V. and decided to go to bed
a little later than I wanted to,
but still early compared to last night.

Then the phone rang, my friend was sad,
she was saying mean things about herself,
so we talked until she laughed and accepted my prescription
to wake early and go swimming without any company,
in the river where no one else goes, so she could be free and alive.
Then we agreed it was time to go to bed.
I hung up the phone.

It was time for bed and I wasn’t early but right on schedule.
I turned off the light after I smoked a cigarette on the porch and walked
into my bedroom.

I was going to go to bed but I couldn’t sleep.
The bed was unmade, and the clock was blaring piercing green numbers.
So I got up, made the bed, hid the clock, and laid back down.
I was going to fall asleep but then I had a thought
that I needed to write down and that took a while longer than I expected.

So I sat at my desk writing, knowing I should be asleep,
but grateful I wasn’t because here I am, writing this.

Now I’m going to go to bed, or try to,
but first I’ll read a few more pages of my new book,
even though it’s so good I can barely put it down.
Maybe I won’t go to bed.
Maybe I’ll just read all night.
But I won’t sleep in.
That way I can go to bed early tomorrow night.

The homeless man
was at home with the
homeless dog

Opening Lines

North, Then South

Click on title to download PDF microchap

She's Right There

Standing Still

For E.L.K.

Wrong Number

This and a thousand more

Closing Lines

Reflechoing

Good Night