Late Night Ruminations

Another midnight trip
to the convenience store.
Half dressed: sans socks, sans belt.

Back home, my dog waits for me
and liquor lines the counter.
This is what happens when I am left
to my own devices,
and vices.

At the store, the clerk talks about health;
He says spicy food is good for cancer
and advises regular colonoscopies.
His English isn't good enough
to understand my commiseration
when he tells of his sister's death.

Driving aimlessly homeward
(it is more direction than destination)
I consider the candor of such a stranger.
Then, in an intersection, I encounter another.

A man is crossing the road
and stops on the double yellow line.
With no one behind me, I wave him to pass,
but he just waves me on, with larger motions.
We trade gestures in this manner for a bit
before devolving into a staring contest.

Eventually, I concede and drive on.
Straight home, this time,
where I contemplate the men I've met.
Both giving of themselves to me,
and both who could not or would not
allow reciprocation.

At least my dog will let me show him a little love.