pain

I see my devil
hiding in your hair
so
what

you rip a strip of failure
from my life
and blow kisses
sideways, past

we watch laughter
deafen children
who run, tenderly
for buses

homeward headed
old people
stagger up, and
face our focus

your bruises look great
on you
I think, but
never say

is that a quiet time
I feel we seek?
hiding
just walking bye