The Firefighter

there's this guy i work with
he's full of shit
a true wolf in sheep's clothing.
he works for the fire department
though i've hardly seen him work
i am not envious of this
it is just an observation
why i hate him is simple
most morning he lingers
in the parking lot before shift begins
waiting for his girlfriend to bring
him coffee
i see this all through my windshield
though they don't see me.
he has a ring around his finger
indicating he is married
she is unmarried and a troll
i've seen empty bottles i'd rather fuck and talk to.
i see him swindle her
throw kerosene on the flames in her heart
lead her to believe he loves her
to believe she's the one
"When the divorce is final it's just me and you baby"
i feel badly for her.
she's ignorant enough to believe this
sometimes he sees me
leaving my car
holes in my pants
ripped jean jacket
shirt untucked
and he asks her who i am
and she tells him
he stares for a while
and i keep walking towards that front door
he knows i know
he's full of shit
he slips on some unmelted rock salt
and mutters something inaudible

a crow caws
spewing flames of rebirth
over an imperfect day
suddenly all is right in the world.