urban night

in this night there is a fire
hot like tears and blood
not yet spilt
boiling

two men a at a terminal

_________train comes

one gets on
the second turns, walks
_________________up
___________________the stairs

into the cool night air
not today, not today...
trudge, trudge, trudge
his heel rolls a stone out of the way
it hits a CAN
he tenses

from the window on the right

a couple making love

one foot follows the other
streetwalker calls out "are you lonely"

it's not her he wants to taste
there is a certain door

he needs

as he passes the dark hole _________of another station...

more trains there
but not today.
bums urinating on the
_________________wall.

from memory
one turn, a few steps
turn again at the
____________corner
electricity hums through the wires
by the post where the old dance stops
damn THIS night, THAT train
door opens before he knocks
like she always does

Pool (from HS years)

She stands 5’ll in a pink bathing suit
One size too big so it’s a little baggy.
Tall and slim, wearing no swim cap
Because she hates the way they look.
Hair pushed hastily back
Held in place by her ears.
Quickly she climbs the ladder
Fingers embracing cold metal.
Pulls herself up
To stand
On the white diving board.
Walks steady, slowly to the end
Toes grip the edge
Hard, so she can feel it.
The water, clear and smooth, below.
Signs read 12ft
But she can’t be sure from up here
Looking up she bounces 1,2,3 times
Testing her limits
Arms out, eyes closed
She pushes off
And feels the water getting closer.
Eyes closed, hands together
She breaks the surface, no splash.
The water opens to accept her.
Rising to the air she gasps
And swims to the ladder.
She will do this
At least five times more.