Lifeboat 21

Came up from the rivers side
He –
that wore John Wayne’s look
rising out of a nice warm bed.
 
Glinted off the metal arm-
Sunlight revealing –
ARMED. READY. SET!
My companion fled.
 
And with accurate aim
He took her down
By the sloping greenery.
Sets his gaze…
 
comes toward and facing me-
HE…
that wears smoldered eyes.
To my senses! RUN!
But it was too late…
 
With wits I gathered
turned to face
The Gun.
That Cowboy Man.
 
 A field between,
I saw him raise the hand
that held my fate…
3… 2… 1 and close my eyes.
OPEN!
 
I see him. Fling-
Through time and space…
Shift-air-shift-
his gun sudden at my feet.
 
Quiet. Silence.
He steps. step. step.
My blood in my ears.
Deafening disbelief.
 
His eyes! My eyes!
That peacock smile.
Adrenaline wrought I raced,
but just

my thoughts…
Go back. Back up.
To the river’s edge.
The smell of explosives
still on your fingers
is intoxicating.
And I,
I am out of hiding places.