an explanation

they slapped him for being moonless
moonless out on their street
because he'd always be moonless
moonless in broad daylight
until he showed teeth he'd be moonless

someone robbed him because he was smoke
smoke and ash mixed with sweat
he was lights out wisps of smoke
smoke rising up into the big uncaring sky
whatever smoke in him must be the bad smoke

the cough he got was full of glitter
glitter the color of beer down in the chest
and everywhere he lay had layers of glitter
glitter that takes away the need to pray
people walk in the street to avoid his glitter

so his moonless self smudged with smoke
with glitter that flows like glue, like spirit glitter
smoke twisting on pavements always moonless