Of Sleeping, Of Waking

In Seattle I asked a friend
who years and many miles had changed
the way

in which time moved

and he said In an instant.

And when I asked him
if he ever thought it would slow back down

he said No.

I this instant, I close my eyes and pretend

in this instant, like a child
I lay down to the Earth, to the past
and feel the grass on my neck
and feel my spine settle
to what lies beneath it

in this instant, I ask Jesus Christ
to be Jesus Christ
and though I’m far from too old I can’t
and I feel that, as time passes I wouldn’t want to

like any bitter adult, I want my time back and
like a bitter adult-child,
I want my friend back
and

like the both of them in the morning,
I open my eyes and Oh no

Oh no

oh no.