Five years after the Mexico fires

With their smoke as far

As Indiana, we could

No longer stare at the sun

Without seeing lies

We had chalked on sidewalks.

So I took up drinking.

It only took two or three

Before my forehead was numb

And I watched Hogan's Heroes

As if Nazis were funny.

Thirty-five years and six days later,

Other cities burned;

We nodded and ordered

Another, saluted the flag

Over the bar and

Sang songs about heroin.

So I took up lying.

It was only two or three

Before my tongue was numb

And I licked dry your hesitation

As if summer made sense.

One year after the world ended,

My stomach burned

And I threw up under

A flag; fell asleep with

The disease July brings,

A cold metal fever

Against the back of my throat,

Same as you felt at your temple

For a vacation second

Before daylight filled your eyes

And all colors retreated

From the room.

A graffiti darkness

Around my crater eyes,

Same as yours the year of Mexico

Fires when I assumed you lost sleep

For junkie ballads, chalked

Sidewalks and sun-staring

From here to the top

Of Indiana.