Opus ···························································································31 The Away Woman (Inspired By Her Loved Ones

THE AWAY WOMAN (INSPIRED BY HER LOVED ONES)

Phillip Hatcher

What if I told you justice died last night? Not defeated in a battle of glory but alone, in an exhale. Justice died on the fourth floor of a parking garage.

Between the dark, below skyscrapers’ eyes floors illuminated with people in warmth and libation. Above the lit streets littered with late night wanderers.

Weekend warriors, bakers, and fishermen alike and the walkers walking only to keep warm, for sleep was worse. Strugglin’ with shopping carts and—

It was January during a cold snap when Miss B found that sleep had become a lot warmer in that concrete corner. Some kindness that was more accessible than all the turned away hands.

And we stand here still with an army of questions not finding any treasure for answers. Disregarding the ax next to the tree in the road.

We found her in the morning gone before she left when we finally took her in.