I drive home
after working late
the night is deep
into its darkness
there are only a few
other cars on the road
and when we stop
at a red light
we don’t look over
at each other
for there is something
not quite normal
about being awake
when everyone sleeps
it’s like we’re upside down together
and the strange intimacy of it
makes me nervous
“I was only working at my office”
I want to roll down my window and yell
but of course I don’t
the light turns green
and the car carrying
my nighttime companion
speeds away
leaving me relieved
but also a little hollowed out
with the ache
of curiosity
unfulfilled.