2 a.m. 7-11

it's best

not to go into a 7-11 at this hour.

the bright gleam

of fluorescence

putting a sheen on the dirty

windows.

2 a.m.,

no matter how

hungry you might

be for a greasy

rotisserie hot dog you

roll on by.

the clerk

may rob you

if not the miscreants

in the parking lot,

talking loudly

around their louds cars,

jacked up

and painted purple and green,

like dragons.

there they are

drinking beer,

and playing music.

their muscled arms

and heads

flexing with 

confidence despite their

fading youth.

it's America, 

after the lights go out,

and the hidden troubles

of day,

appear.