half assed half asleep draft to finish later

his name is moh
and he's been driving
this cab for fifteen years
since he left Egypt
for a better life.

There he was a lawyer
and he attended the mosque
regularly and there he laughs
he was never tempted by bacon

and now
now he can't sleep

whenever he picks me up
he laughs, he chain smokes
weaving through screeching traffic
along the bqe, moh laughs
but he says, he always says
"if only i could
just get some sleep."

i suggest tylenol pm, a doctor
some melatonin but he changes
the subject as he swerves
into the right lane
the metropolitan ave exit
he says he wants to work in movies

his dreams to me, are those of
someone twnety years younger
and they are dreams that were once mine
and they are dreams that i no longer
give a shit about anymore

he says
you're lucky
you work with the stars
i shake my head
"I work with the stars money"
moh says
no you're lucky
you can go home
and get some sleep