Ohio

Over there in California-

Energy’s not cheap.

I can’t imagine what it’ll cost

For a shower and a shave.

But we lost another one here;

One of the mad ones-

She was                              ----decorated

                                  ----ceremonial

----with a s m a l l tattoo

The size

Of a pencil

                                          ----on her face

But beyond pencil

It couldn’t be hidden away

Placed in pocket

Or left on

Desk.

-She took it with her           ----everywhere.

I guess I should’ve been awake

When last note sung

When last line wrote

Last pill

E         x           p             l            o          d             I            n           g

In to

Long night dopamine

And dead-eyed tomorrow

-where was I?

-off?

And pre-occupied with what

In such great presence?

When I’m quick-timing

One of those

Short-shaves

In California,

I know

I’ll see that mark on my own face.

I know

That in razorblade

And brambles

And wild grapes

I won’t forget

-the rosebuds-

And what we couldn’t hide in Ohio:

Another mad one, taken

By the river.

Photo by Anonymous. Words by Justin David Koontz.