I’ve been reminded 
of my age 
not by others 
but by myself 
and a feeling 
of some unseen 
and sometimes unknown 
invisible ankle nipping 
creature coming between 
my feet causing 
me to stumble 
shoo from shoes 
I have tried 
to no avail 
for I now 
have finally heeled 
to this master 

On my side 
prayer and penance 
on the other 
sin and redemption 
here is where
I hear secrets 
there is where
you make them 
and in between 
two of us 
a brown curtain 
to catch tears
by the clean
of the soiled 

It’s here
I know 
I can 
tell without 
even seeing 
the chill
of change 
days start
out cold 
working their 
way to 
warm nights 
I never 
knew that 
love would 
ever be 
like this 
both beginning 
and end 
this falling 
fallen fell 
finally feeling 

There has only 
been but one 
besides me beside
me in bed 
call me crazy 
but I’ve never 
washed the pillowcase 
because the divot
and the impression 
are already gone 
not the aroma
that still lingers 
for long after 

Through sheer curtains 
I spy like 
looking through someone 
else’s eyes day
filtered brown like 
wildfires are burning 
their smoke setting 
silently in front 
no acrid odor
just a veil
hiding the plump
face of sun