J.J. Campbell

i was warned

i had a dream i died 
in your arms

don’t ask me how i got to 
new jersey with no money 
and just a few poems left 
in me

i got down on my bad knee

took out one of those toy
rings from my youth

and asked for the hand of the 
loveliest woman i have ever 
known

you told me to get up,
i was being foolish

i knew it would end up this way

we went back to your apartment

drank some bourbon and laughed 
about the old times

made love for the first time 
my fading brain can remember

i felt my soul start laughing

i figured that old fuck was 
just as surprised as me

i was warned if i ever found 
happiness it would be my last 
day on earth

finally got the damn chance
to roll the dice