Because dark is what evil
is, & light is when angels
touch life,

I sit on the in-between—
atop a heated ledge, below
a golden door. &

because faith is stronger
when I see, & sleep holds
me underwater,

I dream of living atop life—
but my purpose is sometimes
blurry.

***

There is much to see here. I find
myself looking at mirrors
that reflect trees

& clouds that move slowly
like making love-rhythms.
I watch my life

watching others & wonder if they
see what I do. At times
I run like a child,

excited. Because innocence moves
smoother than adulthood—
why not run without

a care other than growing old? When
I become old, I hope to still be able
to run like I once did.

***

I love listening to jazz on a rainy
day. Pull back the blinds,
open the window

& listen to the sameness of a Blakey
solo & the boom of a thunder-scream. The
constant slant-tempos,

the crescendo of speed hitting splintered
sidewalks. Sweet like “Mademoiselle
Mabry” getting shaped

by Miles’ horn. I listen because
without substance, life will be empty,
without texture, light-less.