SMASHED

turned into
the alley taking
the short way back
and nearly tripped
on a homeless guy
sleeping by a trash bin
there next to him
a broken skull
stopped me
he stirred slightly
cast a cloudy
eye my way
felt an urge to
retch or run
my curiosity held
me in place
the side of
her face
covered in filth
the sleeve of
her kimono
old heavy silk
the beauty of
her body
arresting
turned her over
but the old guy reached
out before I could
touch her perfect
hands
--leave her alone--
he said
--my lover 
gave
her to me
before she
died--
I left them
even broken up
she was all
he had.