sucking in breath

sunburnt man

wretched and weary

beneath light and rain,

thunder smelled of goatskin

and musky aftershave,

steps taken like a drunk

falling on his own

sky crossed with jets

over the park

those travelling to another

countries sun to relax,

as slowly it ceased

shimmering haze

brought glare to eyes

worn with failing status

once he was among the rest

spewing from subway to curb

urgent and despairing

eager to get home,

that place with a yard

spill of ivy

trimmed lawn,

but that page had turned

fortune walked away like

everyone else,

yet his eyes sparkled

renewed vigor in his step,

he saw the torture he once

experienced,

now he belonged to no one

bank, employer, wife

even country,

he was an independent state

 

carpetbagger venom

he was a splinter off a dollar bill

the rest broke up and devoured

by the man of the bank,

leaving as an innocent,

chevrolet voyaged south to el paso

under skies that had stars,

his waking

close to sunland park mall,

tight block of stores,

determined to prove her wrong

thrum of ac motel anthem,

dreams a sour bed of flowers,

as he strived for a spiritual arc,

life had a repetoire

of giving and deceiving

now he would turn the tide,

life’s quick dimensions

could not be measured accurately,

singing on the sidewalk

his prey everywhere,

smiling softly chewing gum

that had forgotten it’s  spearmint taste,

his time was now

 

 

Bring Back the Then and Now

dollar bills ground fine

blowing grit into my eyes,

watering not out of discomfort

but sorrow,

as the green has paled

transparent and valueless,

existing as a memory

on magnetic strips,

worn by careless touch,

a presidents hand

is not divine enough to revive,

taxing shocks ripple the heart,

but now eyeing the wilderness

of vacant strip malls

and realtor bunted houses,

the burden heavier than sorrow

breaks the wage mule back,

sat roadside aimless

flickers of eyes do not register,

tomorrow comes,

and another one,

every journey has an end

yet this one i cannot see

just yet