Gunfire

    Gunfire in the night has
    Ben Trembling and
    Jessica emitting shrill
    Piercing barks.  Duffy
    Watches me, alarmed.   
    I imagine moving
    Us somewhere else.

    I enlisted July third
    Or fifth in 1952.
    Susan died July
    Fourth, three years
    Ago.  A malaise
    Has me reluctant
    To leave the house --

    As when I throw darts
    And Ben lies down
    Beneath the board.
    My scores decay. I
    Strain to reach these
    Days for which
    I never trained.