hard-liner approach
half-dead dog
next to a pile of ****
brand new carpet
ruined
bloodied fists still clenched
ache for a new target
something to blame
someone to hurt –
broken tooth tells a tale
of drunken brawling
for the honor of a **** head *****
******* **** for bus fare
in the warm glow of the downtown public restroom –
fluorescents flicker
peeling paint, discolored
stains, upon grime, atop rust and smoke damage
*** sprinkled toilet seat
draped with pale skin and *****
guilt is worse than food poisoning
in the cold hours of the pre-dawn
cool refreshing porcelain
giving pause to a pounding head
momentary reprieve
single drip of sweat travels the long journey
along a stubbed jaw line –
sickened by the visual
moments pass as the scene is etched
mind’s eye holding the image
forgoing the polaroid
sending it straight to the long-term banks
so for all my life
I can look back in clarity
at my shortcomings
and failings as a human –