Simple Days

I lie awake alone, I owe more than I own, Afraid it's worn its hole from my pocket to my soul. The pavement pounded hard, I walked by a walled-in yard with an overhanging tree that left a shadow over me. Lost in time and twilight space, An ancient tree chain-linked in place Gave us golden pears, a leafy roof for the concrete stairs. Until I think in my ninth year, and the reason always was unclear, I got back from school and found that tree down on the ground. Now from my dingy-windowed cell, When light finds this cheap motel, I blink at the gray in dread, Lift my head, drag out of bed. By the parking lot, I see, Though my eyes are not what they used to be, Some kid has climbed a tree and he's looking up at me.