Your laundry cart
has been in front of
your door for a while. 

in urban cliff dwelling land
subtleties are honored
like lovers’ arguments
between the walls
the phone call in the foyer
that can be heard all over
the floor

we communicate for weeks
neighbors next door
in e-mail and texts
she slides out with her dog
i escape to the store
in urban cliff dwelling land
that can be felt all over
the floor

Your laundry cart
has been in front of
your door for a while. 

urban cliff dwelling land
spells respectful distance
between worry and action
it’s part of the resistance
to rules and interference
we nod in the elevator
we chat at the door
we leave each other wanting more

Your laundry cart
has been in front of
your door for a while. 

the message comes in
like a dull thunderous day
I’ve forgotten
she’s noticed

just checking to see you're ok.

From your memoirist

the museum of magic
holds many treasures
among them the loss 
and loves in great measure
hours with you in
your crowded rooms
recording your life
in a cigarette brume
the evasions
confessions
the repetitive wanders
your weary return to
the love you remember
how did I not guess
the bread crumbs you saw
on the trail that she left you
her constant recall
of the life that was you
after days spent in
your hot crowded rooms
the kitchen walls
laden with antique spoons
avoiding the cat
who knew who knew
your history as plain as the devil
memory as sharp as
the gavel that sounds in your heart
you were always meant
to return to her ring
the woman who loved you
the boxer who came slowly
to the ultimate win
you were always meant to
unfurl silken bondage
she’s yours
you are hers
in the forever hereafter
you are ours
in that magical theater
a drink at the bar
a line in the sand
a strait jacket moment
you are ours when
we can
find a way out of the ropes
the box and the past to
reconnect with great love
at last
at last
to release a white dove