Army Jacket Days

Back in the army jacket days
noose tightens
Scar still tingles
He rubs it unconciously
and pulls up his collar.
Once hanged man feels invincible
twice hanged, and he finds Jesus
learns to keep reptile eyed friends
at arms lenght.
He re-fought the Crimean War,
but history is only justice with hubris

He escapes to Charleston and finds comforts
in a city of open wounds.
City blood mingles
and leaves a taste in his mouth.
Nowhere looking sisters beg for alms
and schemes are put off for
shadowy, closed off tomorrow
and the lights are dimmer than yesterday,
pupils compensate, fill his face
and he becomes a repository of light