Excerpt from Bite Marks Visible

I.

concern is may kill
or and the other
and child
in a murder suicide.
wrote a note.
has the note.
Presents it as evidence.

is a dishwasher.
faxes pay stub.
With income for two weeks
cannot afford a room.

This is a suffered condition.
a sadness.
On this income cannot live
because wants too much money.
note says,
“KILLING
PLEASE STOP.
TAKE THE KNIFE OUT OF
BACK AND (in the ear)
STOP THE PAIN.
will die like this.”

can never loosen into dreaminess.
shows erratic behavior.
telephones lawyer.
Tells the lawyer is “fucked.”
Furious is breath.
the employees worry.
Their jaws grind with energy.

The judge orders a restraining order
but still unsupervised
visitation with child.
This is a transparent oppression.
drop the child off at the front door,
extends boundaries.
The restraining order says,
“not to exchange words
only a smile when the child is brought home.”
And this is supposed to help the situation.

II.

argue because
is lonely and
does not care. stay
home from work.
It is a snow day.

wants to spend time
together as a family.
But other wants to watch TV,
wants to be alone,
no child,
no
or something similar.
argue.

grabs a knife from
the kitchen. keeps it
next to on the couch,
perhaps protection.
fight some more.

shows the knife.
gets on top of
and pins arms,
yells at because
holds a knife,
then gets up and walks away.

does not tell loves.
does not apologize.
smokes a cigarette before
it begins again.
does not tell loves.
does not apologize.
cries.
pay attention to.

There is talk of not being trustworthy.
stands on the other side of the coffee table.
yell.
“Get the fuck out.”
holds the knife and says,
“don't come near. a cheater. do not love.”
argue some more.
Cuts hand.
been together for years.
Water runs out the faucet.
on the floor
while bleeds.

III.

a Saturday afternoon.
stands on the front porch.
tired because work
overtime all week at the print shop.
the odor of alcohol on breath.

came to pick up the alimony check.
argue over money.
begin to hit each other.
takes hat off head
and gets in SUV.

jumps on the running boards
starts to back out.
hangs onto the luggage rack.
stops the car.
lowers the window throws
hat but climbs in. hits
and punches in the crotch.
feet hang out the window.
struggle and bite
before rolls the window all the
way down and
jumps out of the car.
drives away. clothes are dirty
and elbow is swollen.

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