Here
In a historic deep-south town
Just past the Travel Agency
In an old wooden building
Lovingly restored
He sat

Waiting to meet a lawyer

The 10 AM sun’s rays
Were dancing shimmers off the river
Across the brick road
Through the gauzy white drapes
As the room
Freckled in sunlight

And the white-beige of the fresh paint
And green cushions
Spoke of southern comfort —
But not the drinking kind —

He thought deeply and slowly
Of how it came to this

It was never supposed
To come to this

And his attorney
A thirty-something
Businesslike female
Emerged from her office

To get her first glimpse of
Her new client

As a single tear

Made its way

Slowly

Down the right side

Of his face