After midnight,
The water tumbler
In the dish drainer
Shifts ever so quietly, subtly
Toward his favorite plate
Who is standing on edge,
Facing away from him
Toward the microwave,
Its lighted numbers
Casting a spaceship-glow green
On both of them.
After midnight,
I kiss the sleeping little boy’s cheek
And he groans and mumbles
Just like the old man
He used to be.
After midnight,
Dancing in the dark
If only in my dreams
After midnight,
Only the owls
Hear the first geese returning
After midnight,
Warm, flaky aromas from
The corner bakery
After midnight,
Only the owls
Hear Jupiter’s bawdy joke
And Venus’ twinkly laugh
