r james sterzinger (9-11-56 / midwest)

The evening sigh pours
Out of me
Then lust
Then contempt
I have no recourse
I mumble
Grow bitter.

The night opens
It flushes out the light
Low at first
Light, like a hummingbird's song
Then the darkness settles in

Personality
Hope light and love
Are engulfed
They are seated down
Made comfortable.

Then love is ripped from hope
From light
Love, is taken by the neck
(Or at least what I recognize as love
It might be a bad abduction)
And it is strangled passionately
Like a rose to the frost!

Love takes courage
I use to have that courage;
You know?
Now I run from the battle's call
I am wounded,
Running
I am a coward!
Remembrance of you
What could have been
Chases me like a pack of hounds.

I have taken to the river now
The waters are up to my neck
Will I get away?