“Liar”
Posted on 28. Nov, 2009 by New Forum in New Forum, Poetry
Liar
By Brandon Norris
I would often stand
three stairs behind him
learning the stains of his coat.
Until the landing,
Where he would stand
aside. To catch his breath
and lend younger feet
faster passage.
I found him
late Tuesday night
at the same spot,
I, just from the bars,
stone drunk,
with a woman;
He, crumpled, confused
With a broken hip.
My keys went with
Karen or Clara
to my flat
to phone for help.
I to him
to sit by, and talk
if he wanted
or could.
He asked me if he would die.
I said I didn’t know.
Probably,
but not tonight
in any case.
We spent the rest
of our first conversation
In silence.
The next Tuesday
a pretty girl
with smudged mascara
and a box too big for her
blocked the stairway,
and stumbled.
I stopped her fall
with my body.
She apologized.
I offered help.
When we shared the weight
she asked if I had known
her father, who had lived
in the flat up the stairs.
I said:
No.
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