it left like the ladies of old
as I opened the door
to the room
bed
pillows
walls

I lost it
I lost it somewhere
while walking down the street
or while lifting weights
or while watching a parade
I lost it
while watching a wrestling match

or while waiting at a red light
at noon on some smoggy day

I lost it while putting a coin
into a parking meter

I lost it
as the wild dogs slept.