Snooze-Alarm

It is the smell of warm toast which excites me;
the taste of melted butter and mom's preserves.
A new day, a cold floor, an old desire:
my right-hand self has no intention
of relinquishing these covers;
my left conjures images of adolescence,
when I was secure in having no choice.
I watch that I must finally succumb to reality
and become my own mediator,
least childhood reclaim me.
Besides,
I always got shoved around and bad-mouthed
by that punk, Dougie, at the bus stop,
my fault, obviously, for skipping
while he was held back.
What a malicious invention, these "snooze-alarms"
--too much time for thought
before the body is called into motion.
It is, at last, anger
which jettisons me from my womb.
Are you still stalking that bus stop?
Sorry, Dougie,
I have much more pressing engagements.


- Paul Malécot