For Sharon

She just is
all that magnificent
light in the bright
darkness of
doubt draped in a
pretty black dress
I can't but recall.

When nothing else
stirs every doubt or
lie I've
forgotten her
and again can't
sleep.

The past
catching you
with a detour
to where you were
alone with a cigarette
and her in a black dress
until the bed like a kinder
cradle or coffin
takes you to
a too brief
dreamless sleep ...

... And you
open your eyes
again
knowing/seeing
that dress
falling to laughter
in slow motion
to
another man's floor.