I.
How wonderful to sleep in a soft, warm bed
Beneath a roof against the blowing night
Of wind and rain rattling each window pane
As winter falls upon this weary world
The busy-ness of day is all complete
I wind the clock and so unwind myself
The little dog burrows toward my feet
Contented with her life, with warmth, with me
And now a few more pages to be read –
How wonderful to sleep in a soft, warm bed
V: Deo gratias
II.
How good enough to sleep in an old, worn bag
Beneath a tarp against the blowing night
Of wind and rain rattling the plastic flaps
As winter falls upon the weary world
The emptiness of day is incomplete
And bigger guys stole my cheap Timex watch
The little rats burrow toward my feet
And bite to see if they can feast on me
Another night to be drained and bled
I remember long ago – sleeping in a bed
R: Your Deo gratias ain’t much help