pardon the mess
of daydreams and daisies –
journals piled high
on the edge of the couch
coffee too strong
and rings of surrender –
to traces where flicker
a candle burned out

pardon the glare
of light through the window
tore down the curtains
and moved near the bed
propped so the breezes blow
warm through my winters
kept me in secrets –
unsaved for regret

pardon the lack
of plans for tomorrow
last time – the calendar
lost me a year
forgotten the want
to change with the seasons –
no use moving on –
hold me right here

pardon the mess
of something needs cleaning
and where are the jeans
I held out to wear
kiss me –
forever seems nothing
worth trading –
as light crowds the window
with promise to share

. . .