the moon cries

by DB Cox

just out of range
of a street lamp
under tree branches
that shadow-dance
the empty avenue--
drawn here
every night to stare
at the small house
on the corner
her new friend’s
beat-up blue chevy
planted like a conquering
flag in the driveway
every dirty detail
behind those cheap
curtains burned
by time
into my brain
every whiskey-driven scar
fixed in faded walls
every shattered glass
& broken promise
every meaningless minute
spent apologizing--
begging mercy
for every wrong thing

feeling strangely numb
i slide a hand
inside my jacket pocket
where it grazes
the cool metal
of a waiting .38
crazy time of night
when lost wolves
are silent
& the moon cries