Insomnia

Bright awake at 12:30, restless, getting up and walking
outside onto the patio to listen to the mocking bird
down the alley begin the season of longing and loneliness:

nestless in the trees, waiting for another to answer his calls
to build together and bind the lost scraps and twigs
found piece by piece through the long days of searching.

The dogs stir at two, jingle their tags walking the perimeter
and then barking, always at the alert, always waiting,
when the car starts down the alley, headlights off. The dogs

at alarm, running at the gates, knowing this moment has come
for their release, knowing that this is their moment, finally
secure in knowing that this is what they are here for.