he holds his breath
at the thought of going back
to a life reduced to a double saw buck bet
on a three teamer going south
down forgotten streets on crooked dreams
past cemeteries that still had room for him
for trying to turn a marriage into cash
that killed his house and left him in this place
where he listens for footsteps on the walk
and fumbles for his keys before
he unlocks the door and exhales
walking through his own breath to home
where the people you hope to find
you never do