she did not come to me
for love
but for some kind of help
because she was troubled;
she said that
she felt “safe” with me
and I wondered
was it a compliment?
She only stayed a few days
then went away
after saying she would be back
soon
and I sat on the porch
and waited
a week of afternoons,
on a street of third floor
walk-ups
and peaked roofs,
the twilight’s gloomy
and the car headlights few
and far between.
________________________________________________
Wayne F. Burke’s poetry has appeared in a variety of publications. His three published poetry collections, all with Bareback Press, are WORDS THAT BURN, DICKHEAD, and KNUCKLE SANDWICHES. His chapbook PADDY WAGON is published by Epic Rites Press. He lives in the central Vermont area.