i wasn’t home ten minutes

when constable johnson showed up and

brought me in on charges of attempted murder.

i didn’t shoot any bullet through sara chickering’s keyhole.

the man who works at the jew store,

ira hirsh,

if he got shot,

i didn’t do it. i was supposed to poison the sutters’ well.

i couldn’t even do that.

i should be scared, but i don’t care what happens anymore.

i just couldn’t run another day.

figured facing the trouble i left behind

couldn’t be worse than dodging

the klan preacher,

johnny reeves

following two steps behind me

shadow-eyed,

smelling of river slime,

showing up every place i stopped.