Hits to the Head

Pulled taught
the drum head
and his skin against his bones

a single hit
wood against drum a pulse
his veins cold winding up
his arms

and how the cymbals
shiver
i listen, they trickle down my spine
he stands
outside in frigid weather
smoke from his lips, shivering to
his head

oh but louder now, the drums
in heavy blocks of time rage
shooting streaming
as tears of fury
shaking, hurting
his body trembling

pulled taught
the drum head
and his life stretched thin
and short
from hits to the head