You took it straight up,
the hard way.
For that,,I'd tip my hat.
and that would be that,
until the next time.
And, there's
always a next time.
Like the time I barely survived with you.
back and around
lower ground with you.
connived, shucked, and jived
with you..
The time we rode out the monster.
Taking time out from, feverish, wicked
clashes of time.,
Awash in rapid rivers of time
Times, we almost drowned in the brackish undertow
The times we made plans in languages that long
ago conquered our people..
It wasn't our fault.
Enter trophy wife in residence.
Comfortable as patio furniture,
short bankers hours.
Picking at her soarse plate of food
disposable
dishes....
We shared an economy of words.
Leading to protracted embarassing pauses
and pre-nup clauses .
and what of those frightful, late night, jitters
sending hot electrical currents
running under my skin
putting me on speed dial
to the dope-man.
Bloody bitten fingernails,
worn down past the nub.
kill or be killed
pinned down to the mat
for the count,
biting down hard
tasting fresh blood
often my own.
Never tapping out
while mounting a defense.
charting a direct path
to the Sun Road
leading back home to you..