Regarding a Newt

[Philatone]

v. 2 edits to get a little tighter *cough* leanne *cough*

Still separated by a pane of glass,
I find the newt sunbathing on a stone.
Despite the plastic surface the rock has
and wire unwinding like a taut backbone,
he does not touch the water, instead avoids
the sheet that threatens his surrounded isle.
He bakes in sun and sits, the earth devoid
of other food or life, with time to while
away as though the day were just a chore;
the nights, habits too young to put to sleep;
the dawn, a neighbor peeking through the door
as dusk regrets yesterday's retreat
but maybe the newt, all along, has seen
worry outside the cage, and feels freed.


v. 1
Still separated by a pane of glass,
I find the newt sunbathing on a stone.
Despite the touch of plastic that it has
and wire that unwinds like taut backbone,
he does not touch the water, instead avoids
the very sheet that covers his lone isle.
The surface bakes in sun and sits, devoid
of other life or food, just time to while
away as though the day were just a chore;
the nights, habits too young to put to sleep;
the dawn, a neighbor peeking through the door
as dusk regrets yesterday's retreat.
Maybe the newt, all along, has seen
worry outside the cage, and feels freed.