Morning

4 a.m.

The ground exhales after a long night

Small blades of grass rear their heads

All the same shade of fire-gilded green

A stiff hour, hard and cool and cold

Causes the trees, the deepest sleepers,

To stretch up towards the heavens

And grip down, deep into purgatory

The ivory clouds crowd around the sun

Who’s peaking from under Tokyo’s sunset

Come to rule the land and sky here for a while

And, cradling us in beams of Ra lifts up

But night still lives in the West

If we leave now, could we outrun fortune?

5 am

Fog rubs on the windows

It sticks to my fingertips

And hugs my water glass

It lands on petals and stems

Spores of mold and fungus

Sprout and smell up the trash can

6 am

The atoms in my soles make contact

The floor solidifies against my nerves

And pressing on I relearn the world

My subconscious takes my hand

Leading me to a familiar place

Where lightbulbs scream luminosity

And a loyal bath mat welcomes me

Bathroom sink of bitter white smooth

And bacteria I still need to clean

A mirror that wished I didn’t frown

A light switch, so easy to turn down

My brain turns on the open sign

Outside beholds a theatrical display

I inspect the sky, nod, and turn away

Towards the soft wood dining table

Upon arrival, I sit heavy on the chair

I exchange glances with the coffee maker

Hello, old friend, may I use and abuse you?

I proudly inspect the outside once more

I stand here, a testament to my survival

7 am

Another cup will suit me, I wouldn’t mind it

Daring to break the silence, I play music

The music floats, I float

The music jumps, I jump

The music cries, I cry

Then, the news in on and I’m not ready

I’m not naïve enough to wish for peace

But a pause button on humanity? Perhaps

While hyper aware of the time, I forgot the date

Fuck, it’s almost time to leave this place

5 pm

Is it too early to go to bed?