At Midnight
At midnight, I walk along the shore,
Hear the lurching of the creaky barges
Plowing through the dim-reflected light,
Hear the mates calling to each other
From the tows before settling down
For the long, slow drift down the Ohio--
They know the sun will linger rising.
I feel chilly breezes at the water’s edge
While waiting, but you do not come
As you promised to quell the torturous
Anxiety pulling me into the night air.
Standing, watching, listening, hoping you
Will slip silent beside me, enfolding me
With assurances that all is well, but,
I know, once again, I die at midnight.
written August 14, 2021
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