Carol Pearce-Worthington

Thief

Leaving home at 5 AM. The street. Him with a gun hidden under one arm. Your gold-flowered wedding ring a melody watch an umbrella the coins you saved for vending machine sandwiches dollars for the van the cops going on – going on – crying a blistering August sun the van the song anchors aweigh set to play at 6 AM in somebody else's pocket along with the wedding ring what to dial somehow remembering the number 911 a nightmare – description – just unlucky the cop says the sun rising – just unlucky – crying in the hot van – sweating, going on – going on – promising to pay next time – don't tell him – don't cry anymore – going on – anybody hurt?

the clock chimes
keeping perfect time
wrongly