The snow whispers a lesson
in letting go. The leaves
are shouting
from brown and gold
to green and greener. They fall
clear up into the sky. The flicker
flares so brightly I can hear
in my dark the flame he carries
underwing, diving from pine
to ash. I drink myself dumb
on the back porch, wait all
evening for the spark to leap
from that damned flicker.
When it does, it lands
in my cocktail hissing
against the ice just as you call
to say you wish
I had driven over. Temptation
speeds across the state, slams
head-on into my slur.
Now hear me search for and
curse the landmarks in my dark.
Listen to the radio signal
break apart. I’m roaring off
into a midnight blackout.
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