Single Mothers After Dark
I lie in bed no sleep in sight
More awake with the moon than I was with the sun
The next day closer than the last
Shows that hold no mysteries to me whispering in the background
Craving things that my mind wants
But that my body will regret
Cheddar Chex Mix
Reese’s Cups
A man
The candle’s flame dances in the distance
Releasing a painfully nostalgic aroma
I was once just a woman
I took 45-minute showers
Survived off saltines and ramen
Had nightly meetings with Mary Jane
No side-stepping Lego landmines
Or llamas in pajamas
So now the moon and I
We enjoy the stillness of the night
My time becomes my own
My name is nonexistent
My space is substantial
My peace is protected
Tomorrow I may be slow to wake
Tonight, I have no regrets
I smile
I laugh
I remember
I hope
For just 10 more minutes
Or maybe 15
Before I know it
Tomorrow will come all too soon
And this time I have
It can only come with the moon
Alamo
A shack where a house once stood
Shingles that hang on by a thread
This was once a home
Built by muscled men
Carefully crafted to withstand anything
Except time
A porch where many once sat
Is now a stiff wind from extinction
Rusted rockers turned from green to brown
A screen door shredded
From temple to tetanus
The roof appears to cave
While the foundation holds firm
A home that once slept six
A time capsule
Full of firsts and lasts
Nothing left but ruins and
Memories clinging to the insides
The house is empty
But the home still stands
There was a time
Today I checked the weather and it called for a light drizzle
I peered out the window to watch
As the sky shed gentle tears
Washing away the hope
Of a straight hair and sandals
I used to dance in the rain
Even though I can’t dance at all
Jumping around with my arms stretched to the sky
Never minding the twisted gaze of a stranger driving by
Performing barefoot pirouettes in puddles
While my clothes clung to my skin
I used to dance in the rain
Today I put on my rain boots, grabbed my umbrella, and ran to the car as fast as I could
I sidestepped mini ponds as I made my way into the office
My hair fell flat from the humidity and my clothes were damp all morning
I complained to my coworker about the weather all day
Which was weird
Because I used to dance in the rain