Cowboys & Angels


 He found the shirt 

behind the winter coats 

creased at the sleeves 

still holding the shape 

of a man who was now just a ghost 

For a moment 

the whole room smelled of dust 

and horses 

and the long blue distance 

between wanting 

and having 

He remembered the way 

they stood beside each other 

close enough to touch 

afraid enough not to 

Two men who could not fix it 

so they learned to stand it

the wanting 

the ache 

the heat of a body 

remembered by another body

He lifted the shirt

 and laughed once 

then almost cried 

Outside the western sky 

went on forever 

Inside their two shirts 

hung together 

on one wooden hanger 

sleeve over sleeve 

two into one 

He looked at them 

until heartbreak 

and happiness 

became the same thing 

Both burning down 

through him 

like whiskey. 

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