no guilt

standing at the edge, rust and green of the bridges reflecting, toying with the depths, the water's blue looks a little too distant, thinks of the pistol instead, eyes it over and breathes in the salt air, barrel to his head, pulls the trigger and everything quiets, the card cheat stands, looming over the dealer still bleeding, switchblade in hand, aims to cut out a trophy as winnings, it's a liar's prize, a falsehood for the bastard to brag on, his blade takes a life, off the bridge, to the river, no shame, no guilt and no grace, cheat heads back to the coin, downs a drink and calls a hand with the bookie, stares him dead to rights, puts the eye on the table and leaves, no shame, no guilt and no grace, no shame, no guilt and no grace, "no father should bury a son, no matter his sins, misgivings or the things he's done, that man lives with a price on his head, no matter where he hides, wears his debt like a hanging hex", no shame, no guilt and no grace, no matter his sins, misgivings or the things he's done, no shame, no guilt and no grace, no matter where he hides, wears his debt like a hanging hex, a new face comes to call, asking where she can get what she's needing, a man of the cloth in tow, head upstairs to silence their longing, no shame, no guilt and no grace