three by three

three by three
and two by six
a little to the right
lean in closer
there I see you
smile

from this
the place I’ve kept for you
a corner filled with light
I beg you please
ignore the sound of drums
how patient
you to tolerate
it bothers me sometimes
day and night
with barely time to rest

could it be
that curtains
might be hung to keep
you from the rain
I like the couch
much better on the porch

apologies I wish to make
I know I talk all night
your name
it falls familiar in the dark
and somewhere else
another written
proof of you remains
with certainty the
sunrise wakes you
here

I won’t pretend
I don’t forget
whenever storm clouds rise
I forget your face
and search for stars anew
but there you are
how silly me
when thought you might have gone
you kick the walls
and I am once again
reminded of the place I keep
in the hush
of summer rain

a drum I knew
has never beat the same