Story of Man’s Desire

They say the night watchman
is so good he can hear
the grass growing and when he
puts his ear to the ground
it’s all the sounds pleasurable
to you, a boy and girl
coupling at dawn while your
bed lies empty, the grain
elevators lifting winter wheat
already sprouting into the air,
sound of hot water rising
in a dark room as you cup it
waiting for the movies to start,
sound of sodium lamps across
asphalt like the wingbeats
of a bird held in your hand.