POSTED KEEP OUT

Posted Keep Out

Beyond the track
which carried you
north, white signs
with black letters
“posted keep out.”

Beyond blood once
fresh and wet like
the yellow roses
drying or the corn
stalks ready to leave
vacant fields; soon
bails of hay.

You said he peeked
at your petticoat, below
lace and satin.
And, I noticed
you could not sleep…
The train flew past
graveyards, and crept past
city streets, awakened
by laughter echoing
through glass; you were
smiling. You were
alive.

You showed me the
petticoat worn last
night before he soiled
it, then said, “No one
noticed the color
of his skin.”

Slightly rocking
side to side, we both
raised our glass,
and toasted to the
light, not knowing
what will become
of night.

Nancy Duci Denofio
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