A Quiet Reparation
Gay Brewer
that first grip
of gin
from a frosted glass
burns the throat
an hour of
warm expectation
more pleasant
than any arrival
I raise an almond
to my teeth
and chew
my back hurts
low along
the spine
as patient reminder
the fingers
smelling still
of blood
and yes,
feeling almost alive
for the first
time
in many days
