halfway

back in the days of thieves and thugs

lines were drawn without any words

sentinels of paradox all flash frozen

promises made on disposable plates

.

beer and a shot and the blood on the floor

i recall them all for what they were

posters that cover the holes in the wall

and the kid with the six pack walking away

.

it went in the river with the rest of the lies

the place in the meadow lit by her grace

fires that raged in the late summer drought

censors of heavenly lust now descendent

.

images shattered in mirrors unbroken

sawdust and shells mix with pieces of light

bags filled with stories on platforms unopened

resigned to a photograph ever unseen