before the rage

“i haven’t seen my family in
over a year” says leo
“i don’t know what i am”

“my old man’s been unconscious
for ten months...i ain’t exactly
had it easy either” snaps tony
not wanting to hear him whine again

the telephone pole hangs a moon
to absolve confessions
parked cars are another diversion
while mosquitoes bite fearlessly
and foolishly
leo slaps one dead on his forearm
“shit!”
tony rolls a number
sitting on the curb
“here, light it up”

suddenly headlights hit them
they don’t even flinch
as a cab pulls up before them
and sounds a horn in the quiet
night air

sue runs out of the house
tony immediately shoots up
they embrace in the street like
infant monkeys
their faces molding violence
into a kiss

she wears a white uniform
he won’t release her
cabby is patient
when they break
she darts into the taxi
and looking back
yells out from the window
“see you in the morning, tony”

he stands still without expression
as the streetlight captures
the white of her skirt
caught in the door
as she rides away
he never did like it when she
began working midnights
at the hospital

leo walks to him offering the joint
tony hits it hard
rubbing his belly as though
it would grant him luck
there is laughter in the distance
and moon plays coward knowing it
is innocent but hides anyway

previously appeared in Sheila-Na-Gig

 

check out dan's new book:

PAGAN SUPPER - Pudding House Publications.
• review by michael basinski •

Slipstream reviews with
michael baskinski:

• Number 20. 2000
• Number 21. 2001
• Number 22. 2002

Slipstream Press announces the winner of the 15th Annual Poetry Chapbook Competition with the release of WHAT LANGUAGE by J.P. Dancing Bear. The chap is filled with rich, honest, and well-crafted poems lifted from life experience which offer the reader fresh insights and lingering images. (40 pages; $7.00 from Slipstream, Box 2071, Niagara Falls NY 14301). Visit Slipstream Press for further information and details.

ALSO: Slipstream #22 is now available from the same address for $7.00. It features the poetry, fiction, and photography by 50 writers, poets, and artists including Liza Porter, Gerald Locklin, Lyn Lifshin, Robert Cooperman, Vincent Tortora, David Hernandez, Dan Sicoli, Catfish McDaris, Donna Michele Hill, Livio Farallo, David Chorlton, Norman J. Olsen, Serena Fusek, Dory Adams, Johnny Cordova, Sarah Freligh, and Martin Vest.