Caravan pauses
For an hour or two
Gas station lights buzzing
Harsh fluorescent glower
The heat still eases
Like half seen snakes
Off the cracked concrete
Though the sun set hours before
I eye their leader
Sight focused
Crosshairs set
He’s smiling
Clearly laughing
Sonovabitch
I suddenly flash
Thought fast
Memory bright
Back to my wife
Pregnant
Face aglow
Flash again
Her neck bent all wrong
Belly torn
Spilled out
This man
Laughing like a hyena
Scavenger…
I’m back and ease my breath
Timing
Carefully
Breath in
Release
Squeeze
Thunder crack report
Rose bloom of viscera
I sigh
And sit back
Load another round
Ease barrel as chin rest
I’m coming home
Rosalyn









