POET COP...: COMMENTARY

The Poem that Inspired the Book...

COP'S EYES

It's a trendy place--
an intellectual crowd;
with its mahogany paneling
tinkling crystal
and many, muted conversations.
He is nervous. Orders us drinks.
I brought you here, he says. So we could talk.
See, it's your new job. You really like it, right?
I can tell.
You're the law, now, see?
And I don't guess it'll work out between us.

I laugh, but nervous too, now.
It won't change me, I say. In fact, I'll need you more than before.
A smile from him, as he reaches for my hand
touching lips to my fingertips
sadly shaking his head.
I can see it in your eyes--
The way you look at things...
at me, even.

I don't want someone who's gonna...
see into me that way--
see through me like that.
Dropping my hand, he digs into his steak,
talking fast now,
giving rehearsed reasons
I no longer hear
or comprehend.
And that brown chunk on the plate
speared by his fork--
twirled in bloody gravy--
isn't that my soul?
I shrug, to save face
and say
Okay. So it's over. So we'll stay friends.
No.
Why?
Because, he said, I know you and
I can tell.

You've got cop's eyes.

He said.
Already, you've got those
cop's eyes.

POET COP...

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