when dawn arrives

he hums tonight through his streets

my unlatched window the tune repeats

the kerb-crawling car winds down to a stop. a few seconds mumble then whisks him off. sick and tired of abuse

controlled signs of hysteria

but like when dawn arrives

he remembers his leisure. he runs tonight through his block

a crack in the curtain is unlocked. no meeting with a mother or greeting a friend

a sharp-looking boot-jack with some time to spend. sick and tired of abuse

controlled signs of hysteria

but like when dawn arrives

he remembers his leisure. he cries tonight

through his manner

i can see his conscience

get the better

from a door-way stepped in

shadowed leather

exchanging handshakes for money

and pleasure. he crawls tonight through his scum

from my dirty window his body's numb. beneath the street-lamp tilts shoulders bent

then meets his pick-up who pays his rent. sick and tired of abuse

controlled signs of hysteria

but like when dawn arrives

he remembers his leisure. his pleasure