From his eyes
flashing, revolving
pain anger sadness

again

From his mouth
bitter, moaning
lament curses questions

again

His girlfriend had broken it off

again

on off on off on off

* * *

with youthful compassionate intention
I said

Maybe it's for the best


In a heartbeat in time
there was silence

another heartbeat
the stillness froze up

another heartbeat
the cold spread to his eyes

another heartbeat
the hardness spread through

in four heartbeats
he built a granite wall between us

never
never
to crack



Harry W. Yeatts Jr.