five p.m.

five
pm

it is dark
here and now
this time of year

we see
the death
and dying
easy
but still go home
safely

november should not be this warm
we don't really
get weather here

but become wimps enough
to still get cold
and in that bit have some sense

that this may not be alright

it is dark
and that always makes it
fell late

coming off summer still
like a good binge

my body
and unspoken
acclamations
all mixed up

bracing for
the cleansing, sobering, and restoring
rains and cold

but in my veins
I'm still
drawn in the warmer past

and so at five pm
I stand
say good bye
to the sun
feel a breeze
warm
blow off the land
going out to the ocean
a piece in the mix
all sorting itself out

I am sorry

I found
a piece
of your smile

here under the rug
next to some old coins
and a receipt from the grocery store

I remember
the year
on that receipt

two less
we were
some ways more
and less bound
but I fear
more infatuated
if not
more in love

some much
more business
and fair share
is our game these days

I found a piece
of your smile

right
over here

I know
it is

I can
still remember

I have
pictures
on my mind

I am waiting
and wading
through

I hope
and beg the stars
and a moon
that we will find
that again

and keep
all this too

over here
I found
a piece of your smile

do you remember
being over here

do you remember
your smile

do I
remember mine

both
trapped
waiting for
something else to give

for knowing this
and not how
then or now
I am sorry

for knowing this
and not doing
something better
I am sorry

but I will still be here
still holding open a hand for yours
and ready to melt a little
of the ice that has built up
one smile
at a time