7/31/2003

Annie got
her hands on
Howard's gun
because her own
was in the shop
and
that's when
the fun began
I
heard people say
because
Annie knew
what to do
with
a loaded weapon
and
she was in
no mood
for
being trifled with
after
another long day
among
too many fools
when she headed
downtown
minding
her own business
but
without a drop
of human kindness
left
for anyone
who
might give her lip
which
no one did
until
she was heading home
again
and a man
saying
he was president
of
the United States
began pestering Annie
for
no apparent reason
and
while she made an effort
to
wave him away
the fool
pressed his luck
forcing Annie
to pull out Howard's gun
in self defense
sending the man
running for cover
from
a hail of bullets
not one of which
nicked him
though
the sight took
the hard edge
off
Annie's state of mind
a smile on her face
as dusk
dimmed the day.