Sun Road Poem by Buddy Bee Anthony

You took it straight up the hard way
I could tip my hat and
that would be that.
Until you came around next time
and there's always a next time
Like the time I went up there with you
went back and skipped out and around with you.
Connived, shucked and survived with you
The times we rode out The Monster
Took time outs from wicked, feverish
clashes with time
awash in swift rapid rivers of time
almost drowning in the brackish undertow.
Times we made plans in languages which long ago
conquered our people.
It wasn't our fault.
No banker would keep hours like this
Trophy wife in residence
picking at her food
no throw-away dishes
or disposable dinners
served on new, instead of
consignment shop furniture.
But, there's an unsettling economy
of words,
a forced, nervous, chatter.
The madness is running hot currents
over pursed lips
The protracted embarrassing pauses,
and pre-nup clauses
and those frightful jitters.
puts me on speed dial to the dope man.
Fingernails bitten down to the nub
Kill or you're fresh kill
pinned down to the mat.
for the count
Trying to mount a defense
while biting down hard
tasting blood
often your own
never tapping out.
Re-tracing that faithful path to The Sun Road
and back home to you.