Walking outside
cold on my face
like a lover's lips
before the breakup

A strand lilting
hair red as dusk
I grab it carefully
an exposed vein
a corroded artery
lying in my hand

A hand grips me
sending an image
of dogs fighting
fighting for food
while a tiger waits
unseen and forgotten

I look down and see it
faint and legible
words on a dusty mirror
the leaking heart
this time bandaged
and that's when I smile