Dawn Promenade

Walking the streets before sunrise
In this Western suburb, I saw
A thousand dreams being pursued in darkened houses,
Littering the hot air of a thousand heated beds.
In them were desire and retreat and
Beings, some with trumpets and some with zithers.
Some of the men spent, some fired and overwrought;
Of women, some in fear, some dreaming of creation,
Or of being desired. Some were talking and some
Simply dancing in worlds.
The homes were dark, the rooms were dark;
Dark painted chariots waited ,with their engines unfired,
Some paid for, some never to be,
Hoping for slow instruction. Within, the worlds
Unfolded at the speed of thought
Revealed joys, damnation,
Sad forgotten lies and worries
Laced with trumpets and with zithers.
Why the music did not leak into the streets
Was a mystery I took home with me.        
                

A.H. Jessup
San Diego
10/25/2012