Mom ran off with his heart
and Dad’s best friend
he can’t remember
the color of Rose Forever’s eyes
and wants to turn his back
bruised black and blue
with unearned anger
on the youth that mocks him.

Screaming eagles have come home to roost
coiled snakes peek from collar and cuff
arms full of second-hand certainties
stay covered even in August’s dog days.

Sandwich board for a shop shuttered
and moved to the suburbs
he walks the streets
in a dead man’s skin.