in the murky shallows of the morning

in the murky shallows of the morning i crept outside

to sit on the ledge, smoke a cigarette & write a poem.

i watched as the security guards across the courtyard

sat & laughed & drank their coffee.

i just lowered my night-glare glasses & smiled

feeling for all the world like

a crazed leper.

i admired the blooms but did not touch them

fearfull as though each petal was a razor

& beauty alone, so alien, could slice my fingers.

in days these blooms will rust

& i will return, no longer fearfull

i will hide myself succinctly behind my glasses

& watch the guards drink their coffee

& there will be many poems

but there will be no more fear.