the a-list actress

brien james dawson
(For JM and RB)

1.
She said
in her best black glasses,
that it would get cold
when she left.

2.
I light her cigarette
with the grand canyon
in the corners of her eyes.
Little girls wear dull red
on their lips for church, pulling
at starched dresses. I watch them
stick out tongues at passing old men
from the counter of a mid-western restaurant.

3.
It's not quite cold enough
to say I am sorry
when I'm not sorry at all.

4.