Once was

Cells pumping in veins

like Texas oil,

thick and black as night,

red as waning sunlight

then the peace of disappearing hope

and the stagnant warmth of stillness

It hangs on me like dead skin–

an extra layer of once was,

the dichotomy of rain and rust,

and everything that should be

but isn’t

and everything that will be

but shouldn’t

01-30-20