Every puzzle takes a first step
figurin’ and measurin’—
cutting the extemporaneous—
getting the lay of the land
on the crime scene, on the body—
detailing and matching lineups—
following every lead
and kicking it in
with bluffing intimidation—
drawing probabilities—
untangling the material
to fit, unstitching the profile
to back out mistakes—
the sweat of thought.
Putting it together
and tearing it apart.
The tyranny and the value
of the word on the street—
crimes of fashion
designs on ******—
what is revealed
if you’re not careful—
you can mesh anything together.
Self-composure
as your story stands
or falls.
Time always running out
before the job is done
and after the job is done—
the bitter faces around the gallows
as the execution hangs.