For Katherine
Just an ornamental
moon
in this ocean of night
This saltwater night replete
with wildlife
human and otherwise
Treading in the street
the outcast
screams against the riptide
while in the deep alley
a meth addict
begs aliens for release
Out here we avoid
each other
like scattered prey
Damp and drowning
we cling
in the black swells
to the least feared
shark
who would rip us open
if the salt
in our worthless blood
could buy a drink
Tonight his arm just hooks
on my neck
like that thin moon
Title banner designed in CanvaPro, using their stock photo