i have heard a blue note

compared to no other,

inside

agonizing

halting

insulated, invisible.

when the moment arrived,

cats were eating fire on the back porch

(where nothing could burn),

but believing there are no mistakes

i wasn’t looking,

stopped counting smoke rings

after catching a mighty left hook

from out of nowhere.

when this day began,

there were almost no survivors left from yesterday,

life was that simple.

hospitals were overflowing with bodies

while the residue sat home,

smoking and waiting.

never so many souls hurt,

suffering so badly

to close their eyes,

as if beckoning death,

never to look away twice this last time.

we get one chance at discovering,

and once we discover-

it’s over!

in a heartbeat!

1973

St. Louis