Between Shifts

Twilight, gray snow weeping

Down the livid sky

Rusted pickups, belching steam vents

Bloodshot furtive eyes.

Drunk at dawn

Beside the shallow river

Blackout just ahead

Cold air and dread for breakfast

Someone’s dog  just newly dead

Listless poker at the legion

Played with a dog eared deck

Each falling card a snowflake

In a blizzard of regret.

The mountains wait in silence

The shaman chants in vain

Flowers wilt upon the casket

A demon peers from the orange flame.