Robert Creeley

In a Boat Shed

I waited too long.

I waited for you forever and ever:

the changing unchanging restlessness
of the signs they didn’t put up

or down; the boxes of oranges,
rat poisons, barns, a sled with no runners,

snow, refreshments, pineapples;
the odor of burnt wood, cigarettes

neither one of us should smoke,
but do –

I waited for you.