quiet nights

tonight,

the quiet is not watchful

it reaches outward

the crickets and sirens look away

politely, leaving me to myself

my cheeks rest soft

my eyebrows cool

my loves are all away, gathered

in warrens, in dens

i know they are there, together

~ ~ ~

tonight,

the quiet is not watchful

it is peaceful

the breath is not behind teeth,

it is night breath, lung-warm,

drawing heavy as honey,

we hold not breath, but the bodies of our loves

and we breathe

together, knowing where we all are,

knowing we all are here, together

~ ~ ~

tonight,

the quiet is watchful

protecting its injury

it waits to see what trouble has been caused

it holds stiff like lake ice,

every pebble-bump reverberating,

but i break it and plunge

into mortal cold,

it collars me

and denies my splashing hands

she is at the edge

she sees me

“it’s not a good day to ask me that.”

~ ~ ~

tonight,

the quiet is not watchful

behind the deadbolt, the bone heals

the continuity broke with the bone -

unplanned,

but now, everyone sees the cast

and consoles: it will take time

so i heal

and hobble through my chores,

adjusting

~ ~ ~

tonight,

the quiet is not watchful

it is content with just me

and it will have to be