Tenement

What is behind the door but other doors,

one open, where we see a girl and boy,

dust and slanting sun, startled oak trees, deep

forest, river. Change the lock and we’re safe.

Remove windows, stairs, walls. Stars will outgrow

all we love because we set and stars

will always star. They love one another. These

two love each other, the woman and man

fast asleep downstairs between streetcars and

office windows, between sky and pavement,

and we lose them when we look ahead or

back at things outside this world, deep forest,

river. Sleep leaves the impression of words.

Water drips from green moss into a pool.