Stars That Gleam Forever

Stars That Gleam Forever
© Surazeus
2023 08 18

Artemis reigns as goddess of my heart 
who guides me how to live with her star chart. 
Tammy walks to school past the factory 
where men behind the fence whistle like wolves. 
Jake Kalinsky leans against the brick wall, 
drinking beer and smoking a cigarette. 

Two mechanics wearing red baseball caps 
drag Tammy out behind the car garage. 
Pushing her down on gravel between weeds, 
they kiss her and start to pull down her jeans. 
When Tammy tries to dial mom for help 
Mike smacks her so it clatters broke on stones. 

Ripping his cheeks with long red fingernails, 
Tammy screams and struggles hard to escape. 
Peter clutches his head and groans in pain 
so Mike jumps to his feet and crouches low. 
Growling as he grins, Jake swings monkey wrench 
that cracks their skulls, so they both run away. 

Tammy breathes deep as she stands on her feet 
then smiles and thanks him with grateful relief. 
Brushing dirt off the back of her pink jacket, 
Jake gives her bottle of water to drink. 
Wind plays with their hair as they walk together 
and smile awkwardly before the school gate. 

Wearing jeans and boots on Saturday night, 
Tammy rides on back of his motorbike. 
After eating hamburgers and root beer, 
Jake and Tammy dance in the crowded bar. 
The old bearded man on stage strums guitar 
and sings about the girl he loved and lost. 

Dark river sparkles silver in moonlight, 
singing ancient song of romantic love. 
Embraced with ache of passionate desire, 
Tammy and Jake make love by the oak tree. 
Gasping with joy at strange beauty of life, 
Tammy gazes at stars that gleam forever. 

Tending their baby girl in rocking crib, 
Tammy teleworks as a bank accountant. 
Downstairs in the car garage with two cats 
Jake fixes engine of the pickup truck. 
After eating beef spaghetti for supper, 
Jake and Tammy watch historical dramas. 

Opening front door with Faith in her arms, 
Tammy waves as Jake parks his motorbike. 
Peter brakes truck hard in front of their house 
then Mike fires bullets at Jake as he shouts. 
Cradling Jake on her lap like La Pieta, 
Tammy touches bloody wound in his heart.