I live life
On the road, goes round
The slaughterhouse
Downtown.

I lie down,
One ear to the ground
To hear what’s lost
In sound.

And upward
Now I gaze upon, and
Tremble in, the
Night. I

Watch this town
From below it now,
To see what’s lost
In light.

While all the while,
The evening’s costs,
Too much to be
Endured.

The sights of
Seeing people leave
Bad habits on
The floor.

I’ve left the
Noise for something still
And quiet in
The night.

A friend, a
Healer I can trust
To get myself
Back right.

I greet her
In the darkness, though
I do not see
Her face,

I know her
In the silence, a
Familiar saving
Grace.

She turns my
Head from fever, and
Directs my eyes
From shame,

And stands me
Up amid the crowd
Of all the walking
Lame.


I steer toward
Better memories.
To peace and lighted
Doors,

To things I
Couldn’t remember
Had I not been there
Before.

No broken
Glass to tread on, for
The weakness made
From strength

Makes bare the
Feet of many on
The road for some
Great length.

My feet are
Socked and shoed without
Discomfort, treading
Ground.

I live life
On the road, goes round
The slaughterhouse
Downtown.