Half an hour

Half an hour before, I step through 
the door 
into the semidark. Unpack, 
undress, body thrown 
at sofa in tired, 
languid heap;

half an hour before picking up again, 
watch, wallet, phone, 
security badge, 
a knot around the waist, pieces of 
my duration—
I step across the brink into the light
again, ready to work.

Dale Chou
2025-08-21