The black dog retreats
into the corner of the courtyard
head held high, eyes gleaming.
Blood wells up
in the gash in my forearm.
I took a woman
into bed for the first time
the same woman
my best friend desired.
A knowing oozed through me.
I have the ability to inflict pain -
his door closed.
I can also withstand
lavish deprivation
and survive
more sunburn, from riding the backs
of trucks, seasick on the lurching ferry,
sleepless nights on delirious beaches.
His bite
left a bit of the dog in me.
Then I saw where they hid
when the soldiers came to the village
first the government
then the guerrillas
to look for traitors and recruits.
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