Working Stiff

In collared moments shattered whispers lie.

In between patient breaths, we hold ourselves and try to seal up the cracks.

Our secrets are all we have left.

In time they will fall like leaves, and our walls made of old stones will come down. 

Winter is here, and we throw ourselves against the hardness it brings.

The park is still. It's months till spring.

Courage...in a month's worth of Sundays

I think of this Paul Newman quote tonight and over the past few weeks.... When this interviewer asked him about why his marriage has been so solid, why he didn't cheat? He said, "Why go out for hamburger when I have steak at home?" -Loyalty.

Occupation

Sometimes I work late on the dark side of the moon.

At night my head is caressed, falling deep, lazier than honey nestling a spoon.

Lore swirls in my head, knocks in the night make my body tense.

Firelight becomes my only friend.

A howl somewhere nearby sends stars away.

Piano keys and thunder cradle me tender, rejoice my very milky way.

Ballast

Main Entry:

¹bal·last 

Pronunciation:

\ˈba-ləst\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

probably from Low German, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Swedish barlast ballast; perhaps akin to Old English bær bare & to Old English hlæstload, hladan to load — more at lade

Date:

1530

1 : a heavy substance placed in such a way as to improve stability and control (as of the draft of a ship or the buoyancy of a balloon or submarine)2 : something that gives stability (as in character or conduct)3 : gravel or broken stone laid in a railroad bed or used in making concrete4 : a device used to provide the starting voltage or to stabilize the current in a circuit (as of a fluorescent lamp)

....And his words I revisit because it how we began this lyrical dance. 

His arguments outstanding, his abstractions are the only words for this. 

I feel the pulse of my own making below. 

In its beat echoes stir in my ears and become all encompassing. 

In between the rhythm we make, I catch my breath. 

When I look into your eyes I don't see the reflection of me, 

I see deeper into the phrase "I hope you stick around".