Evening Passage
by Bridget Gage-Dixon


"Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.”
- Elie Wiesel

They squat in the doorway
sneakers frayed ribbon thin
the needle still hanging from her arm
a labelless bottle his quiet occupation.

I steer toward home where my daughter
will be fluttering her ill-fitted wings
in front of the full length mirror,
where rain weaves in through tiny cracks
lingers above the table before plummeting
into the plastic bowl placed there
to minimize the damage.

Blood begins to charge across the junkie’s arm,
I bless her for her courage.
A bus shudders by, a smeared silvery glare advancing.
somewhere god sits silently
watches this girl devolve into carrion.

In a bestial burst of fear her companion starts,
shakes his heavy head, shuts his yellowing eyes.
I focus on the distant siren’s song,
the slatted ruckle of a commuter train.






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