The Midnight Hour

The streetlights are lit with the smoke

from the bars and outside the drunks

chatter counting the stars while somewhere,

in mid-ocean, a sailor fastens his knots,

a bride and a groom giggle shyly like tots.

The policeman he snores, the baker he dreams,

the lonely child he turns over and screams.

And in the quick darkness, as night tumbles

past, the sweepers and spies shuffle home,

done at last.