So Long

You wait so long for someone
to take the barrel from your mouth;
to ease your arms to your side
and wrap theirs around all the hurt -
then there fingers resting quietly
on your leg reassuring you
that the pain finds company with the moon
and the sunrise will give to you
redemption -
and when you finally fall away
you realize that there is a space
long and hollow
between your' torsos
and the barrel tickles you tounge again.


Circa 1995