in the hallway after taking a piss by Justin Hyde

three large portraits
hang on the wall
like sentinels.

they're my age
slightly
older

all three
in crisp
police uniforms:

dump trucks
for jaws

mirthless
pale blue
eyes.

they'd
gut me
like a deer
if they knew
what i was
up to.

get your
tight little but
back in here,
gloria calls
from the bedroom.

yes mam,
i say
& salute
& apologize
for what i'm
about to do
to their mother
for the
third time
tonight.