Bio
Rose Mary Boehm is a German-born British national living and writing in Lima, Peru, and author of two novels as well as eight poetry collections. Her poetry has been published widely in mostly US poetry reviews (online and print). She is a 'Pushcart' and 'Best of Net' nominee. Her eighth book, LIFE STUFF, has been published by Kelsay Books (November 2023). A new MS is brewing. https://www.rose-mary-boehm-poet.com/
Rose Mary Boehm
Prisoners
On his way home,
he passes the bank and hears her keening.
Drunk again. What's the AA for?
He tosses the imaginary
coin. Who pays for her losses?
The last one must have left her used up. Gin
has no mercy. You see her at the bank corner
where cash is dispensed,
where the card-board boxes worry
her to sleep, a charity bottle
on cold marble. Thick grey serpents
undulate from her felt hat.
Once she sped past the charity shop
window. Eight-inch heels, almost a
skirt. To meet a new lover perhaps.
He remembers that.