Sneaks under shadows, lurking
in corners ready to rear its head
folded in neat lab reports charting
white blood cells over edge, running wild.
Or hiding along icy roads when
day ends with seagulls squalling
through steel gray skies.
Brake belts wheeze and whine,
snapping apart, careening us
against the long cold night.
Official white envelopes stuffed with
subpoenas wait at the mailbox.
Memories of hot words burning
razor blades slash across our faces.
Fires leap from rooms where twisted
wires dance like miniature skeletons.
We stand apart inhaling this mean
air choking on our own breath.
Joan McNerney
Joan McNerney’s poetry is published worldwide in over thirty-five countries in numerous literary magazines. Four Best of the Net nominations have been awarded to her. The Muse in Miniature, Love Poems for Michael, and At Work are available on Amazon.com. A new title Light & Shadows has recently been released.