Sunday’s late-afternoon heat strolls
The neighborhood’s new blacktop
And dogs the strays collapsed in playground
Shade & whatever mercy found
The wren & buckled its orphaned heart
Beneath the picnic table where I sit
Taking in what little breeze
Comas the live oaks draws out laughter
From the back porches surrounding the park
Soon evening will arrive with its darkening
Refrain of malt liquor & stars
Wafts of agave blooms & marijuana
All the particulars that give me reason to sing
Even though this year was yet another call
Without response from the other world
What I pray is beyond this dust a descant
Of clear light & purpose where the body
Crescendos into the unknowable
What keeps me yearning what keeps you here
In this world of torn light and my excuses
I want to tell you I’m afraid things do not
Go on this way waking too early
Driving to work and later chopping onions
Some wine soft music to dance to
As the hardwood creaks & our toddler sleeps
In the next room dreaming a familiar
Melody neither of us will ever hear
I want to tell you I’m afraid
Of grave walls how I didn’t run yesterday
That I’m afraid I don’t love you enough
I know about the small bills stashed
In your favorite books that you will wake
One morning when the sun’s small salvations
Seem just enough & more
Than what I can give you what if
I’ve been here all along singing
To the same God that is not the same God
Asking for water for wings to rise
Singing please I thought by now
I’d have something more to say
Above the rooftops norteño tunes
Rise & drift on through July
What I want is to hear you call me home
Listen I’m afraid there is no other world
I’m afraid this will never be enough