BUTCHBOYSHAVETOSTICKTOGETHER

cold beer hanging easy
between thumb and index finger
held mid-thigh
slight tip
to his hat
to his bottle
boots are planted
wide and solid
cuffed blue jeans
square shoulders
soft dark eyes
that hold another's
...hard and hot...
then quickly look away
softer heart
that this boy
tries
desperately
to hide
under leather layers
longing
to be tougher
to get through
another day