UPON WAKING UP TOO EARLY

by James Darman

i have no friends here tonight
just me and the empty wine jug
not even the moon will keep me company
too many clouds
but i hear leaves blowing
and i hear a lone bird whistle
in the dark
as i wait for the sun
to arrive
so i can curse its
black shadow

10,000 THINGS

by James Darman

how clever the sun is today
turning greens to yellows
and reds to blues

and i'm

as dumb as a flower
staggering
in the sun

not a cloud
in the sky

my hands filled
w/ arthritis
my teeth rotting
out

10,000 things
turning to dust

as the wine
sinks into
my gut