last week

salty chicken fat in the pan I clean and
candle wax in the cushions to rub out also
the trash to leave on the sidewalk as the sun rises
pale eggshells and strongsmelling coffee grounds
you are the refuse of summer nights
and you the folding of blankets into rectangles and
the gathering of empty winedark bottles with your labels you
are tasks I gladly take up because it is impossible to
stay anxious at the orchestration of these evenings
when the visitors dance so easily at the slightest
provocation and we talk until the stars switch off
and the crazy cat the catnip one howls
pass me the broom let me sweep up the crushed-glass
dust and silver wrappers of these evenings and
talk to me as we make eggs and drink the coffee
about the faces reflected and the way our sandals moved
in the gravel of my backyard I will not tire
of these people not for a long time they
make the work of living a relief and welcome charge
the happiest of undertakings please come
in leave your bags inside my door

CDL