What I Can Take When I Go to Joliet

Underwear
Suit
Tie
Heavy Coat
Knitted Hat
Gloves
Knitted Scarf

Morning

No one is awake but the dog. He sighs and recuddles.
I wake up and throw my legs over the side of the bed.
My wife is asleep, hair impressions along her cheek.
Bare feet along the hallway, in the back room, not enough light
to read, too much light to sleep.

for William Stafford: December Songs in Torrance

sand will not work
but if rains come tonight
I could go out in a muddy lawn
and cross and recross.