My sleeping old dog:
He’s dreaming—who knows what dreams?—
On the kitchen stairs
While the rain rattles the house.
How lazy, how free, how nice.
—
Draw the curtains closed!
The day has overripened.
We are tired as dogs.
We try to think of sweet things
But all we say is good night.
—
Cough spittle cough sneeze!
There’s a nip in the night air
And my bones are cold.
Cough spittle cough sneeze shiver!
Is this old body really mine?
—
Hanging up lanterns
For the winter-solstice feast,
I pricked my finger:
It was the sharp, angry jab
Of a frozen five-point star.
—
A sad face is nice,
A happy face is nicer:
Think of it like this—
The empty room is peaceful
But the full house glows with light.