dog-killers; roughneck bashers
burying yer secrets in the quietus of night
stoking ash and fingernail coffins
a tarnished future burns bronze, just as bright.

sore lovers; strong haters
basting yer alligator boots
eyeglaze bristled by store-bought lashes
ne'r shone brighter in a back alley truce.

we're all whores here.
we're all bastards there.
but none does what we do better 
just a skin under anywhere.

here lies us:
standing where prayers come to fail.