Best and Brightest

•

Colin and I trade
rounds
with an unseen shooter
insurgent
such a convenient
polite word
for enemy

Last night
we gambled
he bluffed my queens
with two sevens
countenance held no hint
of his ruse

He asked about
Wisconsin
says he has to
stay away
too many unpaid
parking tickets
Madison fraternity days
didn’t keep him from serving
thought he’d ride it out in
the National Guard

I turn to see how close
that last shot came
he stares back
left eye locked
on mine
the right side of his face
torn away