Duel

SMACK.

His glove across my face,

His love I may have chased.

The insult is strong, would be wrong to move on so it’s not long

Before we stand back to back, prepare to attack, got to react fast.

To the death, who can say but I pray

if I stay alive I will seize the day.

Dear Mary-Ann,

Light of my life, my enemy’s wife,

I hope you will

Love me still.

Heart be still, on this highest hill.

Beat. Beat. Beat.

We meet, barely stay on my feet

And is it a sin if I win? My head spins, countdown begins⁠—

I grin.

1

2

3

4

5

Heart quickening its pace.

6

7

8

9

10

Two men, face to face

We aim: him high, me ahead.

Both shoot⁠—

he’s dead.

The quicker shot

but me the better shot

Now I’ve got a shot.

Husband gone, not proud of what I’ve done, I come to stand

before Mary-Ann

Confess I killed your man but I plan

To make you my wife, start a new life, no more strife. What do you say?

She looks my way,

Smiles.

Tears in her eyes, feels like a while.

Before she finally says⁠—

“Scum.”

Silhouetted by the sun, raises a gun…

Guess my time has come.

BANG.

Meredith Kinrys is a multidisciplinary artist/writer exploring society, empowerment, and the occasional fairy tale.