This Year’s War Movie

Slow pedal notes drag the bottom out
from past, petals left to freeze
when winter comes late within dark.

I face a rattlesnake and neither of us
bite, like this year’s war movie
in better color than shown before.
The message, peace, we misunderstand.
Horror, rage and murder don’t let
peace look safer than showing skin
reminds us to live warm.
The movie going public wants no
smiles anymore. Jazz danced delights
full tilt, ball changed for depression,
world grim, ready for D-day, fades.

The rattlesnake closer, nose
to nose, human failure, being
poison, bombs across the screen.
I fail the dance. Complex steps
express no joy someone else’s way.
This year’s war movie troubles
actor faces around other men’s deaths.
They shudder talent, perfect notes
for war out of tune when fought.
Fast tango without peppy steps
must express in me a new key,
failure’s fangs hard with doubt.