At a Reasonable Hour

this room's a purgatory now

in twilight of evolution

where we sing sea shanties

for unknown comparisons

gentle hands pinch double bass strings

when grief was a puppy

eager & only in the moment

one purgative memory

faith & dreamland

misheard fortunes

remembered as old acquaintances

by their karaoke choice

if it was new year's day

i could never keep addresses

let alone personal information

but was taught to entertain

drink your poison

& fantasize

about emergency exits