It was easier to hide

behind women, 

alcohol, and women.

Coward? Maybe.

It was easy though.

No one asked what was

behind the mask or the scars

underneath.

Coward? Maybe.

One day, it’ll come off.

I won’t be ready,

to feel the sun

against my skin.

She watched him

walk past the light post

that he passed

the very first night

after the movies.

The movie was

mediocre, popcorn

expensive, monopoly.

He forgot his jacket,

she held it closer

with each step into 

the cold night.

Idle, motionless,

eyes burning from

the gentle breeze,

never left his heels.

I shared the bottom

with you.

We drank to the bottom

that night.

I’ll never forget

the bottom.

felt it

when you touched my hand

when you whispered in my ear

when you said my poems were good

when you smile in my general direction.

Maybe I was just in a lucky room
blue drapes around the rainbow carpet.

I like to believe it was because of me. Faulty

reasoning on a butcher’s knife two hams

away from a sandwich.

She’ll ask me later what that means.

I’ll tell her it was just so you

could talk to me for an hour or two.

 

Highway flying ninety-

five, stallions in the sky.

Wings of an angel

 

took the wheel. Didn’t

ask what kind she was.

Dropped dialogue, Dionysus

 

watched the Stallion

fly his last race. Shotgun

rested at the mercy

 

of the gods touch.

He looked through me,

the lights carried his eyes.

 

They met me at the barrel

of the tree. Covered in life,

tears in my eyes,

if only they were mine.

 

Started from inferior, we all did,

right?

Climbing superior like

aisle seven. Makeshift

titles, they’re real, eleven.

Cardinals fly, with their heart

on their sleeve, valiantly. Envious

of the wings to break the atmo-

sphere tonight, through the day,

to land on your shoulder

just one more time.

I’ve been outta my mind

feel like my life ain’t mine.

On the outside looking in

still in line tryin to fit me in

before they drop the firing pin

we all have to live with sin.

Who can relate? 

I just gotta stay alive

pray one day you’ll be mine

need a little night in the day

sleep under the sun set,

Who can relate?

I watched the wall crumble

to your feet.

Stormed the trenches

against my intentions. 

I couldn’t bare the

chains around my lungs.

Your lips hold the key

for the cell around me.

I’ve never been good at seeking.

Stuffed under a rock behind

your mom’s old wagon

was always my first guess.

Running along the padded

bed of roses, never thought

to check further.

Why would anyone go that far?

Hiding was always easy.

You can hide in plain sight,

the seeker never looked to close.

Always in the neighbors backyard

or in the basement under

the ping-pong table.
I was right behind you.

A treacherous ride.

Horse ride for two

circling the terms of identity

sick and blue

reaching no amenity.

I sport the white flag

raise it high above

the stampeding beast,

take a deep breath,

and gallop faster.