Amber

It’s closing in, the simple
Wall of ordinariness.
A piece of gum on one brick

Facing blinding western sun
Has long since turned from resin
To a kind of hard-baked stone.

Stare at it, while you’re waiting.
Much as you love sun on walls,
Love sun on bare walls like some

Love gods or angels—the light,
The perfect, reflective light—
You are tired and you’re aware

Obligations are winning
And staring at sunny walls
While waiting is you losing.