Coming to midnight alone and the world stretches out. The lawns lie flat in time under houses. Breeze moves the alleys and the rocks in the alleys. It is cooler, and quieter.

My breathe is full. My lungs make their heavy sounds.

If you were coming around in a car, you would not see me standing beside the porch. My one hand is tucked behind my head as if I were thinking. The other slouches in the pocket of my jacket. My feet have made scuffs in the mulch.

All this time before, I've been waiting. All the words and phrasing is in my head. I've acted the actions over again. I know all the steps.

If a car comes around again all this time before I've been waiting.