Bullet

the shield that stops
anything threatening
the sudden and dramatic end

barely an inch, some steel
hydro-packed, hollow point

stainless and cruel
such a lovely sudden pull
a heavy click
dropping into place with
such a simple gesture

silver and copper
so compact, so precise
to go out while watching you do your thing

and who is that
who’s there now, fingertips
soft touch, whispers
in the dark and precious

all that was and will never be
words mean so much, yet
so little

I’m here and all those memories, still
an evening drive, kudzu and dark
thick with cicadas and heavy air
damp, warm, so southern

tears, cheeks wet
and the whole hopeless wonder

dm
5 March 2013
v.1