It was a lie. In a foreign country. By the side of the road. Oleanders. Under cover of darkness.
It was a lie. Rummaging around the hayloft. Through the brambles. That gold coin. Molasses.
It was a lie. & she told it well. Like an artist disguises the truth with her pallet knife. Like snow drifts.
It was a lie. Fumbling under her skirt. Wishing for water. Drilling for oil. Hunting. His last clear shot. Smoke.
It was a lie. Begging to be discovered. Ratcheting up the odds. Sterile music. Open sewers. Sweet cream & Karaoke.
It was a lie. How did we come to this? Why would you say such a thing? What’s really troubling you? Hopscotch.
It was a lie. Preamble. Sequel. Sequestered. Sold. Into bondage. Smothered. By mother. Love in the time of Jihad. Quarantine.
It was a lie. In your dream of falling. Naked she came & naked she went. All about Eve. All about Jessica. All about . . . Does it matter now?
It was a lie. Daylight’s waning. Here’s the map. We must go. She smokes a thin Cubana. Blowing smoke-rings, blowing, blowing . . . up & gone.