6. strangelove
count the kids down to 2032
it’s a world in unrecognizable ruin
strange, angry landscapes and
split, naked trees
radioactive fishl
up and down the beach
she is all alone
where the road narrows
just outside the city
been a long day, it’s tattered her nerves
no one living has ever met her
all the love that gave weight to her soul
wiped away in the nuclear cold
but she’s got them sturdy boats
she’s got dad’s old coat
a timid will, newly readied to kill
she trudges down the road
where he is all alone
rolling up a smoke
where the road bridges the river
reconciled to murder now, she knows she can go all the way
the scent on the air is resentment and fear, the hum of adrenalized rage
the dusty dim red distant sun hangs low in the west
as she makes an approach, he shades her face with his head
he in need of water
she with a canteen
she in need of ammunition
he a man to have seen
she plants a stance at shoulder width
fingers curl ‘round the grip
He’s ready to draw, no hesitation at all
but just mirrors her motionless
a quiet breeze tousles their bangs
as night begins to fall
when suddenly he drops to his knees
disarms and starts singing a song