Simon Perchik’s other poem * appeared here in January 2013.*
By Simon Perchik
How many times! this doorbell
smelling your sweat must know
nothing’s changed and the dry sleepthrough the night–the button
has forgotten how, curls up
with someone who isn’t therethough this all-at-once-familiar nudge
can’t keep you away, outside
it’s still rain and darkness
smelling your sweat must know
nothing’s changed and the dry sleepthrough the night–the button
has forgotten how, curls up
with someone who isn’t therethough this all-at-once-familiar nudge
can’t keep you away, outside
it’s still rain and darkness
always some touch pressing down
a somewhere note, half embraced
half pounded, by itself heads into
the constant fear it’s her name
that falls from the night sky
with no help in remembering
–for years! you don’t first knock
sure this door will bring it down
leave only the earthquake and walls.