if rambo sewed curtains
instead of his arm
what strength would he
place in the cotton,
resilience to tugs and pressure
from a climbing cat
or a child wishing
to see snow from a
winters window,
it need not be war
it need not be pain,
sometimes curtains close
out the things we wish
not to see,
but does rambo need
to sew them every time
Rambo
crushed bullet amalgam
would never ease the nerve
raw taunted,
mouth spoke sore words
unrefined as love in three acts,
barefoot bluejacket
you were not the trash
he put you out to be,
sawdust blonde balance
to a natural face,
you liked the Dodge
and sat beside
in that vacant vinyl caress
of a hot summers day,
gravel churned
tires burned dark streaks
towards the center of town,
how could she cheat,
love was like tentacles
suctioned about your every part,
nothing more would be said,
slowing close to a rusted wire fence,
a gathering
barbecue sausage and steaks,
pain eased that moment
no notices given
what you brought her here for,
it was the brick
that found it’s way into the hand
a scream
she grasped his arm
that lashed the brick
across a cheekbone splitting,
falling ,
people running from the house,
let it go she cried
bullet powdered jaw ached
fleet embrace
behind dust and exhaust
a man lay
pouring blood,
did he deserve ,
he was unsure
but when you love
in darker ways
it has to happen
velvetmedia 