[calloused heels over]

calloused heels over
smooth worn wood
whispering up a blank sigh
like the echo of cat cries
in the alleyway of night
the street is empty,
one lone light on at
the neighbor's,

and the peacock,
sleeping silhouette against
the glow of city lights, because-
the night is never dark now

sipping from glass lips
and water is a cold kiss
collecting in the corners of my mouth

a memory of sawdust
the smell and sound
blowing golden like
wheat chaff across this floor
now parched and warped
from summer suns and
winter rains

[like silent tears ripping
through a void of scream]
brittle veins, helpless against
the pull of feet towards dark

one leg braced against
fast approaching day,
one foot scratches the other and-
leaning back into
the folded night.