Neighborhood Color. By Mickey J.Corrigan

The bars are closed, the virus amuck
but the neighborhood drunks are still
drunk
architects of their own undoing
on foot, on motorbikes, on the sidewalks
bloodied, unconscious, arising only
to head back to the local liquor store.

Johnny glides by after his solo happy
hour after happy hour, slick rain-soaked
streets, his scooter takes a sharp turn
splat
face down on his driveway
hot asphalt for dinner
rises up on his knees, praying
he can go inside and drink.

Carson has passed out again
in the sun, on his back
at the bus stop, brown
booze
bag within reach
after wandering the city
for hours, unwelcome
everywhere
he manages to make
a place for himself
in this harsh, dry world.

Stevie used to walk miles
delivering the US mail
shine or moonshine, he
still carries a sack
on one sloping shoulder
pension checks and cash
for the package store clerk
he covers mile after mile
circulating like an old bill
nobody
in this goddam town
is willing
to pay.

Originally from Boston, Mickey J.Corrigan writes Florida noir with a dark humor. Project XX, a satirical novel about a school shooting, was released in 2017 by Salt Publishing in the UK. Newest release is What I Did for Love, a spoof of Lolita (Bloodhound Books, 2019). Kelsay Books recently published the poetry chapbook the disappearing self. Visit at www.mickeyjcorrigan.com.