"for at dawn is the reckoning
and this last night is long"
-malcolm lowry
the stab and slither of the needle
came as welcome relief to the eyes
that did not wish to face life anymore
the numbing wave passes quickly
leaving only warm and some small hope
that this night would pass
there had been too many nights
of please let me go eyes
from strangers lost in other beds
too many nightmares begging release
the sound of an old man crying
asking for one last needle
begging for the one hot joint
and then the sleep that would not end
the rest so long promised
sleep ending as the sun rose in the window
there was no pain and no more sorrow
as she stared into the dawn
not so much as a blink in her eye
or a wish in her stare
but the sun, warm on her face
Copyright©michael dennis/Pulp Press Book Publishers 1988