Jack Carter
There are no heroes
in my story,
only villains.
My brother died, you know?
In a burned-out smoking
car wreck, reeking of alcohol and petrol.
Funny that, as he didn’t drink…or drive.
I said someone is responsible.
That someone has to pay.
My name is Jack Carter,
calling in debts is my business,
and I said no one gets to go home
‘till all debts are cleared.
As I lie here on the shale beach
near the dredger,
a sniper’s bullet in my brain,
I am Jack Carter and I am dead
but I did not die in vain.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s like I said,
there are no heroes in my story,
but I’m the closest you’re going to get.
An avenging, racketeering, hoodlum angel,
my vengeance has been thoroughly indulged,
so I’m happy.
As I lie here on the shale beach
near the dredger,
a sniper’s bullet in my brain,
the waves lap around me with gentle caresses,
a gentleness I never knew in life,
and blood trickles from my temple
into the filthy sea.
And although I lie here on the shale beach
near the dredger,
a sniper’s bullet in my brain,
there is a faint smile on my lips,
for I was Jack Carter and even though I’m dead
I did not die in vain.
Copyright © Tony Bush | Year Posted 2005
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