October

Through shuddering curtains,
pieces of sunlight paste October together for me.
He struts, hips embraced in stiff new denim
and snaps calloused wands
to the beat of that God-maddening
radio. A chance of sun streaks through smoke
streams, kindles his fallow hair. I slouch on the edge
of my bed with thoughts swashed ravaged red, drunk
enough to know this is my sleepless dream.

But his tattletale blues blink
Winter's evil grace. Midnight hang-ups,
lies, the lingering scent of other women,
first subtle, then certain, and like his cold heart,
forgotten when my finger tips feel his flesh
quickening under his tee-shirt,
flesh smooth as marble
and just as cold.

---

Danger

Arm in arm
stroke and chide
tiny shocks shake
my danger

Mouth to mouth
sweet cyanide
feel his breath
whisper danger

Eye to eye
dip and slide
sloe dance deliver me
to danger

---

Never Any Trouble

The white hot hatred of a knife
slashing flesh burns blindingly
like the back of his hand.

her fingers
on the edge
the kitchen floor

The police ask
"Why didn't you leave?"
She has the right to be silent.

please don't
a boning knife
blood red dead

Viewers of News At 11
see her yearbook photo.
She married her high school sweetheart.

nose smashed
please, don't
crushed blueberries

Neighbors say "Such a good
mother, so quiet, never any
trouble. Who knew?"

I'm sorry
a shotgun blast of fists
a way of life

blood red dead
please don't
the edge of fear

It didn't happen because he swore
he would never do it again,
but because she believed him.