No One is Here
Michael Lee Johnson
I walk in a poem
late this night it sings no sober song
no lyrics for the living,
toss in a few lines for the dead.
Let me hamper down a few miniature
shots of vodka on this walk
It shackles my anger
with hostility and sticky jam between
my toes and worn-out shoes soles.
I find myself walking 2300 Western
Avenue in Chicago at 3 a.m. like a damn dummy.
I think of Mayor Daley's sales tax proposals,
and lack of access to health care in this country.
I listen on my radio headset.
I hear amateur black boxers were caught
shoplifting sporting goods
from Marshall Field's tonight.
No one is here to spit at me,
to fist my face in brick,
or steal my wallet silly,
my car keys or jiggle coins
out of my jean pockets.
Disgusting anger hangs
it beats metal drums in my ears
over and over, like a pistol going off.
Loneliness is an elbow plunged
in my ribcage, a bullet stashed.
I return to my car, bruised thoughts
bandaged
go home
wait for God to
sprinkle prayers.
Seal my night with fairy dust;
heal me go about the next day.
I crusade with my world.
No one else is here.
Michael Lee Johnson
I walk in a poem
late this night it sings no sober song
no lyrics for the living,
toss in a few lines for the dead.
Let me hamper down a few miniature
shots of vodka on this walk
It shackles my anger
with hostility and sticky jam between
my toes and worn-out shoes soles.
I find myself walking 2300 Western
Avenue in Chicago at 3 a.m. like a damn dummy.
I think of Mayor Daley's sales tax proposals,
and lack of access to health care in this country.
I listen on my radio headset.
I hear amateur black boxers were caught
shoplifting sporting goods
from Marshall Field's tonight.
No one is here to spit at me,
to fist my face in brick,
or steal my wallet silly,
my car keys or jiggle coins
out of my jean pockets.
Disgusting anger hangs
it beats metal drums in my ears
over and over, like a pistol going off.
Loneliness is an elbow plunged
in my ribcage, a bullet stashed.
I return to my car, bruised thoughts
bandaged
go home
wait for God to
sprinkle prayers.
Seal my night with fairy dust;
heal me go about the next day.
I crusade with my world.
No one else is here.