In the morning of the drugged sleep
and nightmare
of frustration
I struggle away from the doom of night
into the daze
of daylight

The clown has a mocking face
He spices his plate with hidden bits of happiness
and holds it off from you

Such is the situation
We wait
and wait
and wait
and never ever taste
what’s on the plate

FLOYD SALAS is the award-winning author of five novels, a memoir and three volumes of poetry, most recently Highrunning Heart. His novel, Tattoo the Wicked Cross, earned a place on the San Francisco Chronicle's Western 100 List of Best 20th-Century Fiction. www.floydsalas.com