every sound
and headlight brought me
to full alert
worry of a citation
or approaching knock
how two blocks over
was a quieter world
though equally unsettling
barking dogs
sporadic visitors
keeping me out of a rhythm of
night
hours and hours
voices and cars came and went
drunken angst and stomping
it was i penetrating their lives
who was i to anger
slink into the cab
back to the familiar side street
where my head had rested
nights before
where sleep felt right
not shameful or intrusive
when i could let the morning in
leisurely
