The last time I saw him......

(for Bolano and the others)







Night falls in silence
in a stillness of shadows
and muffled fumblings
overhead the faintest light
sets sail in a sea of ink.

Night falls on the neighbors in 2B
on loud recriminations
and batterings followed by
guilt-laden love
Night falls on the sound of a door slammed shut
and an ancient Ford misfiring.

Night falls on sirens
and barking dogs
broken down doors
shattered glass
untrue confessions elicited
in blood stained basements
the very words a knife of ice
interrogación de la policía.

Night falls on the cry of an owl
having realized that
wisdom is illusion
Night falls and
overhead
even the brightest light
is all too quickly
Extinguished.