I close my eyes
Allowing-willing my heart to calm its pace
The frantic beating is wearing me out too early
And I will have 11 hours before night.

Listening to cars move across the bridge
I take a deep breath of iron-laced air
The wishful scent of wind
About to bring rain.

The clockwork beeping of trucks
That seem to only be able to move backwards
Reminds me of one more hour
I could have spent catching up on sleep-but didn't.

The still November afternoon reminds me
That no matter what happens tomorrow
No matter who lifts the torch from where it fell eight years ago
We'll be alright.

One man can change the world
As he may see fit
But we'll all still hang around
To change it back.