The Paranoia of a Clinic Escort on Her Afternoon Walk

   by Phyllis Wax

Are you the one who blocked the sidewalk,
called out “Murderer!”
as I walked the trembling teen
to the clinic door?

The sun’s in my eyes
Shoot me down
Now’s the time

Off to the east 
the darkening lake,
a few sails heading in

Let me die with that scene in my mind,
the blinding glaze of sun
in my eyes so I can’t see the gun
or your backlit face   Teach me
your lesson of life


* poem previously published in New Verse News