Toss and turn 
like stones in
a tumbler grit
to smooth edges 
hoping to shine 
but little sleep 
and less success 
legs move beneath 
blanket like they’ve 
got somewhere else 
needing to be 
waiting for sun
coffee to make 
laundry to start 
and then maybe 
after all that 

Dare I 
do I 
must I 
go there
can’t I
just wish 
it’s always 
the same 
miles between 
me and
my coffee 
be it
in winter 
or summer 
such are
these long
distance relationships 

And it dripped 
like a torture 
slowly and methodically 
and mercilessly dripped
drop by drop 
and by degree
it’s depth worming 
its way in
like a needle
meant to relieve 
but instead it 
covered and absorbed 
turning white to
pink to red

I’d been clothed 
now again naked
shedding shirt and 
pants like an
actor between scenes 
finding some comfort 
beneath the shower
like a wilting 
plant scorched by
the relentless sun
back to bed
to breathe and 
bask in cold 
air that filled 
my room with 
the freshness of 
Oahu’s lazy beaches 

Relief arrived 
fresh chilled 
air cold
water and 
blankets comfort
a letter 
with news
a cool
shower and 
sun once
again as
friend and 
not foe
this feeling 
of dreams
not dread
that summer 
and its 
relentless madness 
made damnation