high noon

high noon

I tried the stand-off,

John Wayne against

the Big "C",

but it was an off-day

and he didn't stride away

into the sunset

or even the noonday sun.

Pity!

Another fantasy

up in smoke.

I'm considering

a change in tactics

though I have reservations

about befriending this presence.

On the other hand,

we share a degree

of intimacy,

it having co-habited

in my body

for an undisclosed period

of time.

The sneak attack

included scatter-bombs,

awide-ranging assault

on every thing

I/we held dear.

I add "we"

for inclusivity:

no thing touches me

alone,

and these were wrecking balls.

All my walls

came tumbling down,

burying tender hearts

under a rubble

of the unforgiveable.

I collapsed

under the sheer weight

of blows.

How much can you take

from me

until I no longer recognize

my self?

Is there a middle

in which to meet,

a peace accord

so to speak,

a negotiation of

what may be taken

and what will remain?

So far,

an answer eludes me.