things to use

this was something he could use.
the man falling on his steps
now shipwrecked in his own body
unable to move. the woman
with packing boxes, writing
kitchen, bedroom, basement
on the soft tops after taping
them closed. the boy sleeping
in his mother's arms, his mouth
open, as the bus stopped
and went along the route.
her leg, white and shapely
outside the boundary of a
blanket and sheet, her arms
above her head, as if captured
in some dream, unmoved.
the three lights above
the mirror, holding his image,
one burned out, the other
two showing the absence
of his youth.