The Daily Round

　
1

She sleeps fitfully. Ten cats keep her company.
They soothe her insomnia as winter starts.
As they roamed to follow her and slept beside her
all summer. There are only two seasons here.
He shuts his door downstairs. She keeps hers open
upstairs. His pain keeps him up all night. He walks
when he can. The clocks go back, the sun dulls
the day, what there is. Soon there will be night.
　

2

Baby:So yes means no and no, yes?
Project upon me all you are,
I’ll take you between the eyes.
Say yes when I ask if you want
to stay here, we’ll be happy,
but say no and I destroy
what’s there or could have been.
Someone comes around
and pays you to go to bed,
baby. Who am I to say Money
means nothing when
God is love and love is God . . .
why then do the faithful need
so much? You’re your own church,
baby, the sirens wail for you
to say goodnight.

　
(7 November–December 4 2010)

copyright 2010 by Floyce Alexander