Stand Her Ground
for Donna Castleberry
by Megan Neville
One hundred pounds
eight bullets
twenty-three years old
eight bullets
two babies
eight bullets
eleven thirty AM
eight bullets
no escape route
eight bullets
thirty-year veteran
eight bullets
seventh body
eight bullets
infinite silence
eight bullets
the proposition // the trust // the backseat with him on one side // the door up against a wall on the other // the warrant // his gun // at home the hungry mouths // his gun // the child-safe locks // his gun // his hot breath // every man’s hot breath // his gun // not even the scent of cheap air fresheners // the stained upholstery // his gun // the request // his gun // memory of steel bars // the plea // his gun // her self-defense // his reaction // her end // his gun // any being cornered will fight back // & her teeth already dull from repeated use // his gun // the history // his gun // all of history // his gun // his gun // his gun // his gun // his gun //
