"After the Talking" by Lawrence Carradini

“After the Talking” by Lawrence Carradini

It’s the jitterings that get me

mostly,

in the back jointless

nest

behind the

knees.

The rumpled stilt skins of my long legged

youth

now abandoned.

Me?

Making ends

that never.

I go from one same thing to some other.

I go from one (same thing?).

I go from…

go.

Jiggle the tank

handle.

This!

This is the last front before exit.

Now, age is the toll

collector.

I cannot run from another star.

The explosion will outstrip me.

The bullet is caught between

my teeth

for one last time.

I am not old.

I am lonely!

I am not going to take this

lying.

One more night and I will have it settled.

One more refrigerator door.

One more outside cat.-17-

One more fluffy at the unbitten end of a candy.

Get out of here, you shadow!