1976

Pitch Black awakening in
my low income housing
milktruck, long ago forlorn
here about a month now
can't go home

Pull up my 15 yr. old
120 pound '5.7" frame
Light a candle on my
milkcase and plywood
coffee table-check the weaponry

Buck-knife, cat-o-nine tails and
a "Bufford Pusser\" equalizer
wish I had a gun
Pop open a beer
slightly chilled

Thinking about tomorrow night
I would deliver to the barges
on the Illinois River
Drink coffee with the Captain
and love the freedom

Wicked winter Zephyr lifts
long blonde hair
far off my shoulders
in that very moment
I forgive her

She could never
have anticipating having
much less, understanding
a daughter like
me