I stayed up late last night talking to Hal

because I like the roughness of his voice

because I didn’t want to wake tomorrow

on Fire Island scared the sun would rise

too close but when the morning came

the sun rose dim and slow Hal had to leave

for work I sketched cramped cabs on midnight roads

and napped between cigarettes I stayed up late

to kiss him when he tiptoed in the door

because he looked so nice in his white shirt

because he smiled at my sketches unrefined

And innocent he said they’re innocent

because he paid my rent I didn’t want

to seem ungrateful he poured me a coke

before he left for work again I closed

I closed the blinds against morning on the ocean

Hal stayed up late last night to fuck me senseless

because his work’s been hard because he says

his wife she doesn’t touch him anymore

because I owed him for the coke I guess

I slept through the morning off

woke up with a headache

Hal left me some aspirin on the countertop

I stayed up late last night to wait for Hal,

because it’s cold to sleep alone because

he promised he’d bring takeout when he came

he came with chinese talked about the city

his cozy place in Prospect heights the park

where he plays with his kids when his wife’s sick

or doesn’t feel like parenting I laughed

I ate my dumplings wondering what happens

in the city after hours I asked for more