Brian Czyzyk

On Election Night, I Reach for My Partner’s Hand

in bed. Try to sleep
by concentrating

on the pulse
that shudders

through the thick, blue
rivers along his arms. I try

to be thankful
his blood remains

inside his body
and not broken

from it, spattered
on the ground

like the people down
the street flying flags

with stars and bars
wish. I am thankful

that it is just us
in this room,

in something
like a separate

world, four walls
shielding us

from the first
cold autumn night here

in Texas. For now,
we are two men

trying to find our way
to sleep, cradling

each other, our heavy breaths
signaling we are alive.

Brian Czyzyk is a poet from Traverse City, Michigan. The recipient of awards from AWP and the Academy of American Poets, his most recent work appears or is forthcoming in Birmingham Poetry Review, Cream City Review, South Carolina Review, Fairy Tale Review, and Waxwing. Currently a Creative Writing PhD candidate at the University of North Texas, he serves as Editor-in-Chief of American Literary Review. His favorite sweet is any form of chocolate ice cream.