beneath the city of houston, and above
the bayou where the old brewery
once flourished, you
sway on your feet.
in your right hand, a plastic cup
is almost empty, and in your left,
trembling fingers manage
a broken cigarette.

i hear water whispering below,
faint music from behind a door, but i
listen only to you.

words leave
your mouth as if keeping them inside
was like holding breath.
words washed with vodka, words cooked in grass,
words, words, and
more words fly free from your mind
to be ensnared
by mine.

later, a thousand birds
will flap their wings
inside my head.
with scissors
in my hand, i must remember;
beneath the city of Houston, and
above the bayou where the old brewery
once flourished, you
just swayed on your feet.

©2009 Faisal Butt