Part of the Dark

Poetry's lover strolls to the end of town,
then circles back to the alley behind Willie's Tavern
where the guys are getting loose.
Willie's mouser is under the stair

getting bug revenge, Jimmy the Lip and Karen
look over a worn map of shallow thoughts,
Karen empties her pockets into the trash bin
to simplify her life, she simplifies her pockets.

The gang whoops it up in the tavern,
night sounds sneak out like incense,
Jimmy and the mouser come loose from time
and dance across the alley,
it's their turn to have the right of way.

Weeds grow in the pavement's cracks,
not aware their offspring will also be weeds.
Willie turns off the light, locks the door
and becomes part of the dark.