Weekender

My mantel-place is bare.

No one displays the silver medals.

Saturday refuses waking.

I hike about inside my town.

The sidewalks are a lifeless organism,

A circulation system,

Capillaries pushing through the urban neighborhoods

And arteries encircling the city,

Never leaving.

Veins always return.

At night

The date's the same,

A similar hair style,

Different face.

She likes my eyes,

My wit and charm she cannot duplicate.

Instead, she hints

A whispered sex

That hides desire

To arise beside a breathing person Sunday

For her church and football games.

She aims for free and fun - 

She doesn't read, she binges!  -

But she's unable to disguise her needful doubt,

The fear the calendars are quickly running out.

I could be any man.

The morning,

I arise alone

For coffee, bending,

Hours leading to another hike,

Another book

I read to cover over desperate twinges

I am staring over the edge,

Another Monday five am alarm,

Another week awaiting an end.

- 2/23/26