Summer Sunrise

The stars and moon have been shining for hours
And I have not yet been to sleep.
I am waiting for
The hushed voices
The click of a door latch
The rev of a car engine
To tell me that the house is empty.

At four o'clock in the morning,
I am safe to creep down the stairs.
The barking dogs will wake no one.
Mom and dad have left.
I am not a rebellious child, but
If they caught me out at this hour!

Four blocks away, my best friend is waiting.
In bare feet we walk
Along dew-covered grass that tickles our toes
Over gravel roads that sting our soles
To the bridge outside of town
To watch the pale first light of dawn
Rise and cast its golden light on the world.