Poem for Nakachi

Look at this light

this handful of light

I found it last night

when the bars were closed

and only cabbies and cops

prowled the streets

Look, Nakachi

I found it in the parking lot

next to the Greyhound station

where I park sometimes

and wait for things to happen

It was just sitting there

between a Dodge Omni

and an old Cadillac coupe

And at first I thought

some angel must have dropped it

(you know how angels are --

always dropping things

always leaving things

misplacing things...)

But then I thought, No

Not here, not now

Not at four in the morning

when all I know is waiting

So I looked around

saw no one

and picked it up

carried it home like some secret

and set it on a high shelf

in my closet

away from the cats

and wondering eyes

No, it doesn't burn

Touch it

It feels like light should feel

like a heart

No, like a star

It tickles

Poke your finger inside

Wriggle it around

See?

Makes you smile, don't it?

I've been smiling since I found the thing

and when I slept last night

I dreamed of space and flying

It scared me a little

all those stars and planets

all that acceleration

I'm not a speedy man these days

I've slowed down considerably

these past five years

Hey, you want it?

Take it

Take it home, play with it

Close your eyes and dream

No, really

One night of light was enough for me

Too much, probably

And to be honest

I'd just as soon not dream of stars again

It only makes me wonder

why it took so long

to find a thing I thought I wanted

but gave up on years ago