Valetudo 20 Poem by RIC BASTASA

a hand on the side
of my pants
a thumb that is
still hesitant to
go with the
pointing finger
there is a suspense
whether to get the
gun and then
squeeze the
trigger
time is an element
of waiting
the spur of the moment
makes the decision
to kill or
be killed
so when your ground
is right
stand it
pursue that instinct
of self-preservation
you reason may
explain later
of course, with the
help of your
expensive lawyer.