Ask/See

Ask/See

A/C unit in a brick high rise:
a box backed into the window
blocks--like a beam in the eye--sight
of the wild, open sky
that, subdued, is allowed to enter the room
through a slit in its side;
the softened wind rustles that contraption's pleats
and sails across the sheets. Easy
to bring the cold air to the cheeks.

Who leads the breath into the sleeping,
cools the life-blood,
calms the body's seas?
A college student finally sleeps
as the thing hums and heaves,
forgets sweat, heat, fatigue.

Makes life bearable not to burn
with questions of the unseen
for eight hours
out of eternity.