The porch light stays on

i watch the street from here
my tea has turned to ice
the chair across is bare
it sits in shadows now
your keys are on the hook
they do not jingle loud
the dust falls on your coat
i leave it where you stood

stay by the porch light glow
watch for the car turn in
keep the window cracked wide
wait for your shadow home

the neighbors turn their lamps
one by one they dim
i check the driveway gate
it swings on rusted hinge
i see your boots in mud
left side has a tear
you left them by the door
the hallway smells of rain

stay by the porch light glow
watch for the car turn in
keep the window cracked wide
wait for your shadow home

the clock on wall is slow
it ticks a heavy beat
i count the grey bricks out
ten then twenty more
your name is on my tongue
i do not say it loud
just taste the letters now
cold air bites my skin

stay by the porch light glow
watch for the car turn in
keep the window cracked wide
wait for your shadow home

click goes the typewriter
letters hit the page
i write where you are gone
i write what i can feel
no ink for my secrets
just white space in rows
the lightbulb hums a note
it buzzes like a bee

stay by the porch light glow
watch for the car turn in
keep the window cracked wide
wait for your shadow home

the moon is hidden well
behind a heavy cloud
i see the porch light flicker
it wants to burn out fast
but i reach for the switch
i hold my arm so still
waiting for the tires
to crunch on the gravel roaderd out here in
the dark are no more lights than mine alone

stay by the porch light glow
watch for the car turn in
keep the window cracked wide
wait for your shadow home