She was a pale direction
I had foolishly taken
One mistaken hollow night
on a backward road
(one of many)
One mistaken turn
A downhill flight
with both eyes squeezed
narrowly open

She was a wan point
I had drifted towards
offering me dumb luck
and succor
(a sucker's lean)
All tall and mean
and dangling
Lost promise
In a slit-to-the-wish-bone dress

She was a pit-bull in *******
straining at her chain
and I was the last
worried and weak link
(she was fast)
She grabbed me by
my heart-pant leg
and yanked me
down sweetly down

I hated her
as hard as
she loved seeing me fall
(I could hear)
thin brushes on snares
and a deep rumble
(her laughter)
or a stand-up bass?

She was a pale direction
and I had
nowhere else
to go.