Not As Early As I Thought

by Franco Bertucci

The first thing I do in the morning,
is turn off the alarm clock.
Now I'll skip to the fourth or fifth
which is: grope in the dark for socks.

We have lights but I leave it dark
because it feels wrong to interrupt.
If I wanted light I would stay in bed
and get up when the sun comes up.

Next I go out to get some air,
say good morning to the cat,
and notice how many lights are on
in the neighborhood- a shame, that.

The highway's alive. I hear it a mile off.
I guess it never did go to sleep.
In the day I don't notice it much.
Now it sounds like bombers and jeeps.

It doesn't feel so early any more.
The morning seems a bit less special.
I contemplate an earlier hour
and wonder if I have the mettle.

But I am glad to be up
and ought not complain
just because I'm not the earliest bird
on the block. Truly,
if I were it would be a shame.

Awkward Guy

Poems and other embarassing things. 2010 Franco Bertucci