green floor [1988]

under a 40-watt bulb
Life bowed to Death
and kissed her hand lightly
she smiled and caressed his rough face
forgiving him for the time he had wasted

a tear trickled down his cheek
and fell at her feet
as she lifted her skirt for him
but all he could do was stand and smile
touching her neck with stone hands

she looked to the green floor
and found the questions lying there --
they were questions that he would not answer

under a 40-watt bulb
Life turned his back on Death
and stared at the cracked plaster wall
as he lit up another cigarette
he listened to her leave him

he took a long drag of his Chesterfield
and walked over to the bed
exhaling through his nose
he sat down on the edge hesitantly
and sipped cold tea from his mug

he looked to the green floor
and found the questions lying there --
they were questions that he could not answer

a soft, futile knock came at the door