Night Being a Moonlit Ordeal

Someone is always coming in the door, 

leaving the door open, letting


the horses out the door to cross night swiftly.

Night being a moonlit ordeal


where we gather salt in an ocean-licking mist. 

Beautiful words are spoken


as if they are honey, and the tongue an apple 

peeled and prepared to eat. 


By beautiful you can see I mean 

the words are not sweetness, 


but two parts wild spinach seed soaked in three parts 

cultured milk. I drove the truck 


up Pajarito plateau to be noticed, 

but instead took notice of those I did not know. 


It makes me feel both important and lonely.

Like dream after dream of men 


begging me to love them and to take 

hold of long grasses with my hands.