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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “At the Zoo” Down in the Dirt v210 (8/23)  Order the paperback book: 
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Last Gasp
Tom Squitieri
Outside the window
Looking into the display.
A mannequin moved her hat toward the sidewalk
Caused me to stop and freeze
As if I were a model
She moved
In her sensuality
came alive,
then more alive
Yet not fully alive
Still not seeing
Still tentative, fearful
Perhaps, that is why I am here
On the sidewalk
If you try again
It can break again
If the heart sounds different
When it breaks this time
You know you were correct
What you felt was real
Heart dance is what we want,
that we do when we hear,
Music that may only be in our head
not yet hugging the heart.
A different sound of heart break
Come so close
then the arpeggio took over
You are my ghost joy, she said.
As L.A. rain splashes its scherzo spray
Against the window
Wind piercing through, like the blown apart Bosnian buildings
It is a different sound of heartbreak
Coming so close
just failing short
I came out of the shadow
a while ago.
At my discretion
I come and go
sforzando
powered
the shadow works for me
I know its strength
And where it ends
