Rituals
by Alan Greenwood


Sitting on the bed's edge watching
The dog slide from hers, your head
In your hands.
___Next:
You shuffle to the bathroom
Releasing Sunday's dreams & piss

To the kitchen, dumping grounds,
Muffin flipping out the doggie door,
You brewing that initial cup of coffee.

Out front, seeking Monday's paper
Like a sparrow squinting for a single seed.

Inside again. Cracking Venetian blinds
Allowing the just-right slant of entering,
Comb-toothed blades of light.

Easing into your chair, careful sipping
of decaf. The dog's determined scratches
at the door. You glance clock-ward,
45 minutes to work. 24 hours to this
________________________same scenario.






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