mad man

this middle aged,
overweight, crazy man enters
the bar, sunglasses on,
ball cap pulled tight
on his head, shadow boxing
to whatever music is
entering his brain
from his ear phones, he's
talking to himself and pulls
out a wad of money, maybe
a thousand dollars
which he places on the bar.
he's obviously in another
world and tries to make small
talk or eye contact,
and yells out at whoever
looks at him, looking for
a fight. cursing, turning
red faced at whatever wrong
he perceives within his
coconut head. he's out of
control and spinning
quickly in the direction
of madness, if he isn't
already there. you can
feel the black aura of
pain and fear that he lives
in and that he wants to
share with whoever crosses
his path. and you realize
that there is this side
to life that is out there
in the shadows, in alley
ways and there is little
you can do about it, but
stay clear and watch your back.