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November 1, 2007

Sparrows On Barbed Wire

by Dewell H. Byrd

them vacant eyes
stare right through us
an' our black-and-white
like we're not drivin' by
not even here

look over there, Joe
two in a doorway
one on the curb
three at the dumpster
two on the dock
     shoes off
     warmin' feet
     dryin' old clothes

shoppin' carts lined up
place holders at St. Vinnie's
eight for soup and bread

when there's a bunch of 'em
shopkeepers'll call the station
our radio'll crackle

we'll cruise back
swing our night sticks
bust some skulls
whack knees

      scram
      scatter
      move on

you know, Joe, I keep spectin' to find
my momma down here some day...
her bein' ah alkie an' all.

COVER STORY  |  IN THE NEWS   |  DIRT 
POEM  |  IN REVIEW  |  GARLICK'S NOTEBOOK  |  MOVIES
TALK OF THE TABLE  |  THE HUM  |  CALENDAR

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