this little battle
it is several hours into the darkness
the night is a quiet one
the taxis dance by the bars
waiting for the midnight sleepwalkers
and the all-night talkers
lonely women sit waiting for lonely men
and most go home alone
i turn the corner and all is lost
there is just the night without her
and the waiting that i know will come
the bar music is painful
it is noise and not distraction
my drink tastes bitter
and i know that drunkenness will not save me
you walk by with a woman on your arm
she is smiling at you smiling at her
you will go home together
and it might be for the first time
and it might be for the last
but it does not matter
because tonight you are loved
you are with the touch of another's skin
i know the morning is coming
there is some light on the horizon
it is red and orange and not welcomed
i want the darkness to surround me
just a little longer
long enough for sleep to win
at least this little battle
Copyright© michael dennis/Pulp Press Book Publishers 1988