the sleeper

you lie in a room
ten by ten
hundred feet squared
in the corner-a bed
sunken mattress
cigarette stains
ashes waiting to fall
you sleep
oh, sleep
my lonely love
in a room
sleep tonight
and every night
soiled floor
soiled clothes
you wore yesterday
still smell of smoke
say always say
you'll quit
broken chair
you never use
I'll fix, love
the windows
are closed
to the world outside
you know too well
sleep long, my love
sleep deep

3-5-93