the sleeping giant

when i was a boy
the pre dawn was so foreboding 
my mind a candle who’s light
i tried to hide as not to wake the world
the sleeping giant, my captor
who hadn’t yet revealed its intentions 

alone in a room amongst the paused lawns
nothing to anticipate but pop tarts
the cold bus, the pledge
shuffling amongst the kids
secure in their smiles and directions 

now i’m a man and i guess
i’ve come through the other side of something 
the pre dawn is mine 
i gather my quiet, fan my candle 
guess at what gentle mysteries
the day could bring unscheduled
i look out over the sleeping giant
who turned out to be a friend
who’d grant my leave anytime