Furniture Mover

Ah the great

the venerable

whoever he is

ahead of me

huge load

terrific backache

wherever

a chair's waiting

meadow

sky

beckoning

he's the one

that's been

there

without instructions

and for no wages

a huge load

on his back

and under his arm

thus

always

all in place

perfect

just as it was

sweet home

at the address

I never even dreamed of

the address

I'm already changing

in a hurry

to overtake him

to arrive

not ahead

but just as

he sets down

the table

the bread crumbs

I used to

‚say

I was part

of his load

high up there

roped safely

with the junk

the eviction notices

I used to

prophesy

he'll stumble

by and by

no luck-

oh

Mr. Furniture Mover

on my knees

let me come

for once

early

to where it's vacant

you still

on the stairs

wheezing

between floors

and me behind the door

in the gloom

I think I would

let you do

what you must

CREPUSCULAR

Some obscure Power Company

Employee hired

To turn on the street-lights

In my neighborhood.

Almost night now

And he's late, long overdue. . .

Whoever he is, has

Other things on his mind.

Wanders the streets,

Preoccupied, anonymous.

Late, this late,

Bumping into all of us

Standing in little groups

On the corners

Dimly outlined

Against the sky

As if by a police artist.