19. BLUES

Gina spent two years in the army

Became a sharpshooter

They let her keep her dreads

Three inches long

As long as she kept them

Under her hat

No matter what they did to her

They couldn't quite change her into

What they wanted her to be...

She has an amazing heart

A hug from Gina

Is a real melter

And I suppose her being

A sharpshooter in the army

Is why she is so excellent

At shooting pool

We must have shot

A hundred games together

In various bars

(Drinking coffee....)

She said she wanted me to photograph her

To help her regain

Some feminine part of herself

That the army had taken away.

I'm sure the army did her some good too though.

Toughness isn't a bad quality in this world.

Nor is excellance.

But she saw a lot of things

She didn't want to see

In the army...

The last time I saw her

She was pouring espresso

In a drive-through on 6th street.

Sometimes she gets the blues...