The Postman Never Screams Twice

for Annie Menebroker

it lasted all of a weekend
heartbeats turned to flesh
tapped out on skeleton keys
& the bones of underwood typewriters
there was some silly argument
that sent you running into the eye of storm
sitting there in tears
on wine soaked sidewalks
all suitcases & no destination
waiting on a bus
with youthful fire
him, not yet a lion
& you, hardly a timid creature
he walked outside
& pleaded with you
to come out of the rain
nuzzling your face
looking into your eyes
like they were empty six packs
full of nothing but moonlight

like a love letter never sent
you were too real
for anything
this close to sunset blvd

years later your spirit is still running
in every direction
saying, hey, baby
a little rain never hurt anyone.

John Dorsey lived for several years in Toledo, Ohio. He is the author of several collections of poetry, including Teaching the Dead to Sing: The Outlaw’s Prayer (Rose of Sharon Press, 2006), Sodomy is a City in New Jersey (American Mettle Books, 2010), Tombstone Factory, (Epic Rites Press, 2013), Appalachian Frankenstein (GTK Press, 2015) Being the Fire (Tangerine Press, 2016) and Shoot the Messenger (Red Flag Press, 2017). He is the current Poet Laureate of Belle, MO. His work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He may be reached at archerevans@yahoo.com