HINGES

Micah Ballard

Instead
of bailing out
I decided to wait the shouts
some of them carried torches
& were delighted to take me in
when asked about
the light in my hands
I pointed to the doors
who opened by themselves
I was told to lay down my song
& make use of my past
lush marshes and a walk across
Aquatic Park
no one was quite sure whose ghost I was
including my friends
who offered to buy me a drink
I watched them argue
then send separate books
slender volumes tight to the tearing
I typed them all
the First of the Gang to Die & other poems
fictional cities
& a new glass of Christian Brothers
some of them carried torches
I was delighted to take them in.


December 2008