Last night I chose for happiness and read
Of fierce Napoleon past one o’clock.
Impoverished officers of noble stock
Marrying for wealth. Cocooned atop my bed
A minus thirty sleeping bag, my head
Swimming in love. Scant hours on the clock
‘Til rising. Rose. Suffered the crackling shock
Of blue sparks from my light-switch. Showered. Fed
Myself on buckwheat, coffee, vitamins.
Now sit in the dark living room a while
Watching time’s margin until work grow thin
Dream of shy lovers yearning for a mark
Of mere esteem. Postpone the time ’til I’ll
Go out under the wider, colder dark.
22 November 2016
The Sonnet Challenge 