Crank (Crank 1)

the evil in my core threatening

to eviscerate me.

Would you think it a mercy killing?

Brendan Pulled Up

at the foot of my driveway,

didn’t so much as glance my way

until I opened the door

and creaked to the curb.

Then he turned and tossed the

dwindled bindleat my feet.

You owe me $250.

Would you believe

I paid up?

I Stumbled up the Driveway

wanting desperately to shed

the lingering traces of eau de Brendan.

Even messed up, I realized

I couldn’t very well go inside and straight

into the shower.

Someone might wonder.

So I aimed for the hot tub, threw back

the cover, almost gagged on eau de chlorine.

But I didn’t care.

Steamy water bubbled around me, over me,

jetted inside me.

The monster laughed out loud.

Cleansed, chlorinated to the point of chemical

peel, sore muscles relieved,

I felt almost human again.

Tiptoe to my room, up a darkened hall,