I dreamed we worked in a department store Together in 1987 Made up in the aisle dueling swords For the title of immaculate Retail Lord From the back of house To the blood on the floor My left ear was up against your lips As you pinned me back into a rack of pork shoulders You whispered as the lights went out "Be free forever baby, Your shift is over" If there was ever such a feckless thing As nine in the afternoon Still I might stretch out the Saltwater taffy ends of every hour with you I'm in another fit of laughter The speed of which the morning after Slips into the consciousness Of the Night Seasonal Shifting the limbs of our lives into action The colors of the world that go together best Are the deep evergreens and the reds of the robins breast My teacher is a common creature Whos never even spoken or heard a word in English Breakfast is an edible calling card That serves to bridge our dimensions My phone is out in the yard And I'm feeling younger for paying attention If there was ever such a feckless thing As nine in the afternoon Still I might stretch out the Saltwater taffy ends of every hour with you I'm in another fit of laughter The speed of which the morning after Slips into the consciousness Of the Night Seasonal Shifting the limbs of our lives into action