The Dark Room
He passed the room many times a day
Its dark interior calling his name, knowing his
Essence
Little light escaped, but there were shadows
Sitting like so many knicknacks propped on rows of shelves
So many incidents of self
All fading into the dark
Love life languishing loosing luster
Pluperfect tense
Calling to him like to many sirens
Just off the bow
But he was not lashed to the mast
Could've been a painter
Should've danced with her that night
Might've seen it coming
Would've known better than to study there
Had've made that decision when it occurred
And too haves and haves not in past tense
Knowing better than to enter
He walked to the window to open it to the sunshine
The delight of warm light on his face
Caught in the bags under his eyes
Walk down those steps and walk outside
Keep walking until, jog out in space
His present remained tense
Until those pasts eased out of his muscles
A quick walk turned into a slow run
The pavement pounding his soles
Worked well for awhile
But racetracks have a way of the finish line circling back
To the start