Entropy Late in the Evening

He collected only their most sumptuous 
fortune cookie citations

referencing soul mates
kindred spirits & true love ambitions

long after the vague envy of the hostess
once guided them back to the table for two

his sad inability to reassure his date’s safety
limited his appeal to only transitory rescue

eventually causing her to go elsewhere
when security meant much more than a second key

or a retriever at the foot of the mattress
when he thought closing his eyes meant he still could see

for the delicate reminders of compass passion 
& divining-rod amour

including the dream catcher & letter collection
could not revive what he could not restore

so in the ensuing era he reluctantly 
ceased reviewing each photo finish

when the fog of restless sleep
offered better versions of what would surely diminish

yet on certain nights when the thunder rumbles
its contradictory clamor to cleanse and recall

he finds strange solace, knowing someday someone must carry away
those artifacts of his desire & his fall.

Detroit sunset storm, May, 2025.

Photo by the author

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