Augustus

The Laugh

I laugh safely at a distance as he slips.

His  smile up close spoke retribution barely cracking  his lips.

I say I\'m sorry you fell.

He says get ready for hell.

I meant no harm.

His blade creased my arm.

 

I ran–

He slammed–

A round in the chamber.

The sound would linger.

The store window smashed beside me

As I whizzed past behind me–

 

A ricochet

Whispered you\'ll die today.

I tripped and fell.

The world turned a carousel.

He stood over me

Laughing at my terror,

My last fatal error.

 

Motioning the tip of the gun–

Run along kid. I\'m done.

Just having a little fun.

 

 

Augustus / Folsom, LA / January 2017