The Smiling Moon

Two bananas,
two bottles of wine,
two blocks 
to the seven-eleven.
 
On the way, 
a gymnasium,
with doors open wide,
where children run, 
sneakers squeaking,
back and forth
across the court,
bouncing balls
and shooting 
for the stars
in the form
of a netted basket. 

What strange innocence
to chase for fun
to follow rules
free from the heavy weight
of freedom. 

They know nothing
of adulthood.
This strange world 
so few will touch
at any age, 
where we are
ruthlessly responsible
for our reality; 
this excuseless land
where work is service
and service- joy,

and sometimes 
you just want
to greet the smiling moon
as you walk 
to the corner store
where no one’s to stop you
from that mad hatter’s purchase
of two bananas
and two bottles of wine.

And you carry them home,
no bag, 
for all to judge,
for all to see.

And you come to your desk
and you pour just one glass,
as you face the blank page
and the quickening evening,

and you save the bananas 
for morning.