-how the night will purr-

tonight i am the center of debate
among the council of night dogs

at issue is the stone floor upon which
my boot laid pace is uneasy

i enter a plea of vodka and kick
a beetle into a truck tire

arguments run as far into the night
as the stitched wing of a cricket

when recess is finally called i run
upstairs to make love to my wife

but the baby is awake and the cat
is tongue-out dead on my pillow