Downtown

by Michael Dylan Welch, Deborah P Kolodji, and Naia

First published in Haiku Canada Review 13:2, October 2019, page 72. Originally written in November 2010 at the Seabeck Haiku Getaway, Seabeck, Washington.

school crossing

the chalk outline

of the cop’s body Michael

black spray paint

on the stadium exit sign Debbie

bathroom stall

he carves her name

with a switchblade Naia

bite marks

on the bailiff’s pencil Michael

out of ink

before I finish my name

marriage certificate Debbie

the plastic surgeon’s Sharpie

presses into her chest Naia