AFTER TOO MANY NIGHTS DRUGGED

the clear calm startles.
How many years since
sleep held me like a
lover, faithfully, not
the kind who says show
more skin and vanishes,
but velvety, lush as a
night we were all young
and the darkness was
a surprise. Lights
going on and outside,
the fireflies, diamonds
and rhinestones studded
the blackness, signaling
for a mate and we
were too, under a
slash, the pale new
moon

by Lyn Lifshin


*Lyn's website: http://www.lynlifshin.com/books.htm