New Year's Day 1:16 AM br and my body is weary beyond br time to withdraw and rest br ample room allowed me in everyone's head br but community calls br right over the threshold br drums beating through the walls br children playing their truck dramas br under the collapsible coatrack br in the narrow hallway outside my room br br The TV lounge next door is wide open br it is midnight in Idaho br and the throb easy subtle spin br of the electric slide boogie br step-stepping br around the corner of the parlor br past the sweet clink br of dining room glasses br and the edged aroma of slightly overdone br dutch-apple pie br all laced together br with the rich dark laughter br of Gloria br and her higher-octave sisters br br How hard it is to sleep br in the middle of life.