it was reported lightly.
sympathetic,
doe-eyed fawning.

this was the shit
you couldn’t stand

mortality
was not
news you expected.
you had to mask your
indifference with
a furrowed brow;
“I know”
“I just heard… jeez”

truth be told,
life left months ago
when you sucked
those bones dry

you reckon

of course
he offered them up
like barbeque.
you gave at an early age,
now you take

because they’re stupid,
and you are owed.

this unquenched debt

© Tom Watters 4/9/08