DON'T THINK ABOUT THE MONEY

4:30 AM
Cat wakes me up
disoriented
deliberately fast clock
can't get my bearings
fog lifts
take a leak
lay back in bed
warm
turn over on my side
fight to keep my mind clean
want to go back to sleep
don't think about the money
don't think about the money
stomach gurgles with worry
it's eating a hole, I'm sure
great - how much will that cost
you roll over
did you hear my stomach drop
try to close my eyes
If I drift to sleep I dream
for a moment
a windfall that saves us
my eyes open again
my stomach squirts again
slam my eyes shut
please, don't think about the money
don't think about Peter
don't think about Paul
don't think about who I've had to rob
and who I have to repay
the waking, nightmare hours
make me hate a wonderful life
in your sleeping breath
I can almost hear you chant
don't think about the money