Today stood two brave chickens while one tire
blown from a hub into fences met the beaks
and party we stumbled through.
Baby, I don't know
what I'll do if you leave me
was said the evening prior.
Intentions. Hands are too heavy. Somehow
it was not her. The bridge is cheap.
Some way I believed it wasn't me
that hurt us both.
This damn song ended
millions of years ago. And still at the ranch . . .
Dogs hold forth
and company laughs at stumbles while pipes
lead women to fountains of coins. Addition
loses no lovers. Pray that prayers will close this night.
That our fists will admit tomorrow. All misery
is worth the nickels we left for lotto
and wishes for fives we claim as kin.
©
is the author of the chapbook The Party In Question (Burnside Review Press, 2007). His poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in many journals, including Bat City Review, jubilat, 42opus, Painted Bride Quarterly, and San Pedro River Review. He lives in Virginia and is the managing editor for Sport Literate.
We’ve published two more poems by Reading: “Love Story” and “It Was Supposed To Be Just One.”
