THE RED PIER

When I saw you alone that night
you laid your face against the dark like a lover.
You caressed yourself, then smiled
and I knew what you'd done.

Somehow. Somewhen. Somewhere in dreams
I'll catch you before you fall
(before you fell, I mean)
in and out of the stink of the night.
And that place where you lost yourself,
I'll remember.

You were standing in the dark away from the reeds.
Your face was cut like stained glass,
(or just brutally cut.)
You stood all proud, all quiet, watching the night come loose.

I had to smile.
I think I loved you then.

But the lake made waves like spiders creeping
and the wind started up
and your eyes went blank as scrims.
I ran for you.
My hand was on your shoulder, and then it was not.
I watched you bend till your knees kissed the boards,
Till your head could go no lower,
and with your face against the rotting pine
you hissed something harsh - a name, a number, a need.

Somebody broke out the shotgun
and thunder joined the winds
and your body slipped in
your limbs twisting cyphers.

But as you were struck,
I saw your lips crack a rich, competent smile.
And you lifted a hand
and your chest folded in.
The sun failed, then, too.
Turning the dock a rich, lusty red.

And there was nothing left of you
but for the fishes.