Loved By All Men, Cherished By Zero

Watching over her children with a
loaded shotgun, a drunkard’s grin,
my neighbor waits for falling tear drops.

A police car drives past.
One taillight burned out.

In her ranch-style house
the windows have been exploded out,
holes decorate the walls,
an empty pill bottle
dances with the breeze.

Spinach spoils on the counter top.
Bloody toilet paper balls in the trash.

There’s been no sleep for over three days.

Wickedly entertaining behavior
that never wanted change.

A modern-day maternal outlaw.
An angel in love with the devil’s goodtime ways.