My Junkie Lover

          
The rules            
were always:            
Don't party            
in the ashtrays               
& please, please
please                
no needles            
to clean up            
off the floor               
             
But they were            
my rules               
never yours            
              
I realized                
you were zoned               
when I called             
on my way home               
Your voice          
screaming stray cat  
decibel overload                           
              
And then the lights               
flashing slowly              
at the corner of our block              
blues and reds  
looming closer               
until I knew              
it was all for you            
              
Pale limbs                
stiffening too soon               
just a baby under a blanket                
stretchered out      
through a hush in the crowd              
while Death's surprise              
grinned triumphant    
riding high
on his bubble of air               
                  
So no more                
final chances              
no more last goodbyes                
shit promises of rehab            
brittle as the wind            
not even a kiss goodbye            
to ease the chill of wasted life      
only memories frozen forever      
with the ugly ache of alone  
twisting its cruel knife      
through the heart of a summer night