Johnny 23 (1979)

Johnny 23 (1979)

Door slides open,

Johnny laughs

A view from above

Sticks his head

Out of the window and dries his eyes

I remember a winter sometime ago,

Angular patterns formed deep in the ground

Where someone once stood

White on black,

White on white,

Echoed voices bouncing off the buildings around.

A ramp to the trees and trees all around,

I remember a tear, frozen white on white,

I remember nothing.

A grey saloon,

Johnny sighs,

Winds down the window and stares at the road.

Some things never make sense,

A fear of stepping out,

Crouches shivering in the corner, blanket round your shoulder

Hot then cold, cold then warm, pulse is racing, slowly racing — stopped.

I remember nights spent listening to until dawn,

I remember nothing.

Door slowly opens,

Johnny sits on his bed,

Lays down and dies.