At Night

I sit alone at night on the sofa.
The sofa sits alone with me.
My television has images that are projected back at me.
I sit alone at night on the sofa.
The sofa sits alone with me.
Morning is on its way is a thought occurring to me.
I sit alone at night on the sofa.
The sofa sits alone with me.
The sun is rising out my window birds I do see.
I sit alone at night on the sofa.
The sofa sits alone with me.
Morning comes, I awaken from my slumbering ways.
I sit alone at night on the sofa.
The sofa sits alone with me.
Putting off the coming day is a ritual you see.
Therefore it occurs to me.
I merely go through the motions most of my days.
I sit alone at night on the sofa.
The sofa sits alone with me.
I have insomnia can’t you see!

Two Lads

Two lads sit in highchairs.
One silent
One exploring, quite vocal.
Adults look at the young ins.
Out of control.
Out of chairs.
A waitress smiles, takes lunch orders.
Patrons enter, exit the restaurant at will.
The young infants attempt to rustle around.
The children test the adults nerves crawling.
The ground they crawl around on making a mess.
The day progresses.
The children are back home.
The unknown is what each of the boys is encountering.
The unknown countering the vast experiences of the adults.
Naiveness of the child.
Mild
Sharp
These extremes.
And so it would seem people need both.
Folks dine out and dine in spending time together.
Air conditioning and comfort are what’s best in hot weather.

A Man

A man sits alone in a cavern , while another man sits alone in a tavern.
A man lays on a beach, while down the road is a man trying to use his power saw.
A man has trouble because his extension cord will not reach.
A town comprises many houses all seemingly similar from the distance.
A struggle of everyday living the pinnacle of human existence.
A gas station has run fresh out of gasoline.
A windshield wiper hasn’t a drop of water to clean.
A church brings hope to the masses, a bowl of chili brings noxious gases.
A waiter waits for a cab to bring him to work.
A cabbie wonders what his job is worth.
A paint brush creates new worlds.
A teacher educates boys and girls.
A renaissance man does all things for all people.
A coloring book contains images of everyday people needing to be colored in.
A feeble feeling like a mouse caught in a blizzard.
A Christmas goose is deprived of its gizzard.
A toast, cheers to all the delights as they say.
A merry Christmas, a good night, and day.
A blizzard with mountains of snow.
Shovel,
Shovel, my back will face a frightful feeling I will not be able to let go.

Eric Miller is the 2016 recipient of the dedicated contributor award for the NHT Eye Literary Journal at NHTI Community College. His literary journey at New England College and as a member of the class of 2022 was featured in the New Englander.