she moves sharp and violent in bed while sleeping

the tender cream sheets do nothing to comfort her thrashing

and neither do i

 

i lie next to her, still and awake

feeling nothing

i do not try to calm her anymore

 

 

sit many,

silent spread out and waiting

to be taken the same place but not together.

hoping their train will soon arrive.

 

as children they’d sat near to mother afraid and close

holding her hand, small and wondering

not knowing where they were going.

some things never change

 

now, not brave, but bigger at least and used to being alone

or maybe just resigned.

hoping their train will soon arrive to take them away

 

on the train now, they all sit apart together, looking away

out the window, avoiding eye contact with all the other someones

outside a sign:

“Use caution when exiting the train.”

and then: 

“Please be mindful of children.  Please take them by the hand.”

Sound advice

as if hearing the pleas of the silent passing eyes.

cyprus trees spread their
roots instead of settling down
resisting the cold water below

Inside the diamond

Poets write with leather pens

On tablets of wood.