Green Mailbox Wire

Dust along the gravel road
Curtains tied in yellow knots
I drop a paper through the slit
And never turn to read the name

Cedar shingles turning gray
No one sweeps the porch at dawn
I slide another envelope
Where sunlight cuts the hallway floor

Town folks watch me from the fence
Nobody speaks or asks the cost

Letters falling through the slot
Paper settling in the dark
Green mailbox on the rusted wire
I leave the silence where you left

Weeds are climbing up the screen
Spiders spin across the lock
I keep my bag across my back
And keep the route exactly straight

Ink is fading on the stamp
Heavy paper white and thin
I feel the brass give way again
A little click that no one hears

Nobody asks about the porch
I touch the gate and walk away

Letters falling through the slot
Paper settling in the dark
Green mailbox on the rusted wire
I leave the silence where you left

A stack of circulars and bills
Gathered deep against the door
The midday heat begins to climb
I wipe the sweat and turn the key

The pine trees cast a heavy shade
Along the turning of the drive
I never write return to sender
I let the porch keep what it holds

If the roof begins to bend
If the floorboards give to rot
I will carry what they write
Until the mailbag comes up dry

No return address to trace
I push the metal flap aside

Letters falling through the slot
Paper settling in the dark
Green mailbox on the rusted wire
I leave the silence where you left

I leave the silence where you left
I leave the silence where you left