The neck of the beer bottle illuminating / bright as an amber heaven, / a condom outstretched on the ground / like a removed limb, the homeless wither / & fluster, rummaging through / the ground’s stiff equation.

Ike hit Tina, and then she hit him solo. Debut: the brink / of a platform boot in the backseat of a limo scene. / Ms. Turner left that black man; her name and Autumn weave / split, You know you love him, but can’t understand why / he treats you like he do when he’s such a good man.

Thought everyone had at least one uncle / who’s a modern day Stagg-o-lee that pimps / a Kangol, & keeps a weed stash in the top / drawer of a nightstand, behind a pearl- / handled pocket knife he once used to shave / a man of his pride,

the way lies can curl– / a comma / in your pocket / but it don’t change / the skin you’re in / at the brink of crossing / make sure your slip / isn’t showing / somebody’s mama is watching