a certain way of doing things

you find

a routine at a certain age

and stick to it.

waking up

at the same hour,

the brushing of teeth,

the cold

shower.

clothes on, then down the stairs

to boil

a pot for coffee.

there's the porch light

that's turned

off.

the paper on the stoop,

retrieved.

there's the letting of the

dog into the yard.

there's the waving

to the woman

out back,

smiling, leering

into my house, so nosy.