if he dies in the same hospital
where he was born
if she hollers
next stop the morgue
if no one dares move
images between stanzas
if stairs bend out or in
not spiral up or down
if the leaves
never turn
if your vertigo
spills onto hers
if my thirst lasts longer
than her walk across a swing bridge
if Monday morning swindles
Saturday night
if velvet and hook
never meet let alone mate
if smog surrounds a motel
in early October
if there was no word if
then would be a lonely widow
who never turns the page