in
the woods
i
was broke
by
a bad run of cards
so
barney stood for me
we
shared his cabin
sitting
nights sipping jack
by
his wood stove
while
talking the world
back
into shape
we
drove ourselves part crazy
laughing
through
what
we didn't know
about
women
he'd
climb the stairs to bed
while
drowsy embers
danced
me to the edge of sleep
clear
nights
i'd
take my sleeping bag
to
the long porch
and
lay on a bench
until
i blended in
once
as
i drifted
into
the heavens
an
old ghost owl
glided
by my nose
waking
me
to
the sanity of stars
out
there
just
like me
