Death and the
Barmaid
Hillary
Lyon
she pours 'em as she gets 'em
beer and tequila mostly
but some high-end scotch
tonight the gaunt customer
at the bar's end
orders one dirty martini after another
right up to closing time
the bar maid gathers glasses
wipes the countertop
and passes him a napkin
with her number on it
Death and
the
Stoner Chick
Hillary
Lyon
she laughed at the garbage disposal
but she'd take anything
passed along at a party
and once a gaunt hitch-hiker
with an unnamable pill
gave her the best high ever
that was years ago
now she's clean and born again
driving alone to Bible study
she opens her door at a red light
and lets that hitcher back in
Death and
the
Valedictorian
Hillary
Lyon
mamma's perfect child
National Honor Society
president chess club class officer
never home late never goes out
spends hours in her room
studying and researching
online dating there's a new guy
gaunt but goth-handsome
she wants to meet face to face
his "yes" is such a thrill but
don't tell mother
Death and
the
Mirror
Hillary
Lyon
well you're looking trim
smooth complected and clean
pate shiny and smooth
good thing hoodies are in style
you lurk in subordinate shadows
always a good idea
as darkness hides your empty eyes
funny how folks see
what they want to see in you funny
how they take your proffered hand not thinking
of the inevitable consequences
Hillary Lyon is an SFPA
Rhysling Award nominated poet, whose poetry has appeared in numerous journals
and anthologies. She founded and served as senior editor for the independent
poetry publisher, Subsynchronous Press. Hillary also writes short stories, and
when she’s not writing, she creates illustrations for horror and pulp fiction
publications. Having lived in Brazil, France, Canada, and several states in the
US, she chose to settle in Tucson, Arizona.