TV on, music playing
fingers slide across the screen
punch the keys, the characters create
a question to a friend
heart pounding, feet walking,
fingers twitching, sweat swells
and drips along my cheek
bellows break through a closed car window
“Get out of the way!” a driver shrieks.
“Are you stupid?” she asks, huffing,
her heels stomping away
I hold the horn too long
a curse, a rant —
I swear, I’m right this time
perspiration peppers through my shirt
stoney eyes watch me from the rearview mirror waiting . . .
and now I wonder, Who the hell is she?
I close the door
take a breath
leave the phone on the floor
turn out the lights and walk away
I tread upstairs and shut the blinds
lay down and whisper to wraiths I’ve wronged
when the day turns anew
I swear: I’ll be a better me
Tortuous Tales 