In Manhattan
we wake up to
hot and humid
the usual sounds and smells
of the city at midday
drifting lazily into
the open window
traffic and subway trains
people yelling
somewhere a woman screaming
too much human sweat
and garbage
floating up from
rat filled tunnels
(rats thinking their
rat thoughts
enjoying life and exploring
more than I'll ever
have a chance to)
we just lie there
for hours
listening, breathing
falling back into
happy unconsciousness
and emerging back from it
wading in the shaols
of dreams
(she's waering a white t-shirt
and flannel pants
on her side
and facing away)
a baby cries
(later as we're walking
there will be
a silence
except for that same
child
its scream
desperate and pleading
receding behind us
until the silence fades
and the city returns)
and she rolls over
so her face fills
most of my visions
her eyes still
distant from sleep
but open
a slight smile
barely caressing her lips
and I tell her about
the dream I just had

08/06/2002

Posted on 08/06/2002
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