America in Short

You are the one that takes it all away.

The slow sway of the hammock between the trees,

I see it and us and there I’d fight off sleep if for no other reason 

than to feel our weight.

Down below us, far below us, worlds below us, 

dragonflies practice; circle, circle, circle, swoop.

The lake; lapse, lapse, lapse.

It’s your toes, always exploring in your sleep, that bring mine back.

My pinky reaches as the walls around me, the hum of the fan, lawn mowers,

someone left the hall light on,

and our reflection on the water below is far away, worlds away.