early morning apologies (revised, new title)

[TranquillityBase]

early morning apologies

the neighbors
are sleeping
they might as well be dead,
the dog is barking
it’s six a.m.

we have to choose
our battles
when it comes to ghosts.
angry spirits
will get in the way 
of dreams
at least that’s what
I tell the dog.

he doesn't listen
he needs to bark
the way 
I need to write.
though I love him
more than I love my neighbors
I realize
they are kindly
gossips
that’s their poetry
but they need their sleep.

so we retreat
into the light
to give morning back
its silence.

early morning manifesto

the neighbors
are sleeping
and might as well be dead,
but the dog is barking
and it’s barely six a.m.
I have to choose
my battles
when it comes to ghosts.
angry spirits
get in the way
though by daylight
I’ll be dead to them.
dogs need to bark
the way 
I need to write
and I love my dog
way more
than I love my neighbors.
they are kindly
gossips
that’s their poetry.
my muse
comes early 
a preemptive ambulance
to carry me
into the arms 
of a poem.