ALWAYS

Always on time
the light goes on
on the hallways
Spain gave you
two husbands
Vietnam,
a divorce
you volunteered
for the hot line
to help out
the Samaritans,
born again for a day
new age for a night
of tarot,
a primal scream
for a four letter word,
love
wanting invisibility
an unwanted profile
you drew on experience
for art,
trimming lilacs
by the window blinds
the sun was slated
from the roof
you met a French guy
from Quebec
who was cool,
played sax
on the tall dry grass
by the dunes,
you create a painting
knowing time
is only a slanted face
on his watch
and you wait
for the visible sign
hearing his tune
"There are no returns"
recorded for posterity
you accompany him
on the double bass.