down like chuck brown

you pull back to throw
another promise at me
and tell me to go deep

I cut and run
my usual pattern
down and out
but I feel good about this one

I go the distance
hope churning, desire burning
and I raise my hands
to catch your oath

as I look back over my shoulder
I see your grip loosen
and watch your empty words
slip through your fingers

you've fumbled once again

I trip over my disappointment at full stride
legs, arms, expectations akimbo
and tumble heart first
into another lie

I'm down like chuck brown
and you, my Lucy
strut off the field with a smirk that says
you'll be back

and I lay there
sucking air
swearing that the next time
you lob a promise at me

I'm gonna cut and run