I REMEMBER COLD STEEL AND AGONY

She came to me in a dream like always

And I can’t blame her

Because I know she knows

It’s the safest place to find me

Passed out on the couch

eyes closed

When all I can do is listen

And we were all there

Just off the main strip

Huddled over our secrets

Like the homeless rubbing their hands

Together over burning garbage cans

Protecting

We were all there and we were

Just trying to hold our respective lines

Not afraid to move

Not afraid to sit still

Just as they say maintaining

And when she walked up to me

Almost obscenely beautiful

A little bit more than out of place

I looked around and everyone

Was blowing on their fists

She came to tell me she wasn’t angry anymore

And tried to draw me back but I knew where I was

Her fingers closed around my hand

And I told her I would have to wake up soon

And just like that I was up and stirring and

Feeling my dog against my feet

Looking at the AM sun and the clock and laughing

oh how her fingers were soft