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Standoff

We were in a 
standoff
in the subway
holding
on for dear life
rushing into the darkness
emotions derailing
and our fingers 
sweating on the trigger.  

Wanting the other to 
stop the train
lay down his weapon
and walk away.

But we had awhile before 
our last stop 
and only one of us 
would leave 
intact. 
no turning 
back 
to the moment
when we pressed 
against each other

strangers
groping
for a brief moment
in obscurity
till we 
knew ourselves
in each other's eyes

feeling the press of the
gun in our guts
contradiction
cold metal 
warm hands

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