Dangerous, The Man in Black
Hash marks, numbering eight, were tattooed on the inside of his forearm.
The marks were faded and could have gone on and on,
but marking a kill became undignified, when he became
Dangerous
Maybach sunglasses, tailored black suit, and snakeskin boots
with silver studded toes, and heels clicking down shadowed corridors,
signaling to the occupants within that the dark man walking was
Dangerous
In upper-class restaurants, or roadside cafes, first class seating, or curb side cabs,
all eyes are instinctively averted, knowing that to catch this man’s attention could be
Dangerous
Fulfilling a contract, he steps from a business district office and closes the door.
In the red sunlight he straightens the lapels of his jacket, not pitying
the man on the floor within who failed to realize that the visitor in black was
Dangerous
His driver opens the rear door and he slips in like a shadow into foreboding.
Reflections of faces, streetlights, and neon signs, play across his mirrored glasses,
and highlight a tear trailing down the scarred visage of a man who is
Dangerous
On this particular stop, he avoids the elevator and slowly stalks up the stairs.
He pats his breast, checking the piece in his shoulder holster;
a long time habit of a man who has become
Dangerous
Stepping into the chill hospital room, he quietly closes the door
and sits next to the bed.
The old woman lying there is cold and blue against stark white sheets.
A doctor steps in, but when he sees the man in black he respectfully backs out
because he knows the old woman’s son is
Dangerous
His last job of the night takes him to a dimly lit flat…his own.
Sitting in his leather bound chair, he reaches for the bottle of bourbon
that has faithfully awaited him on a table nearby.
Unscrewing the cap, he takes a slug, and from inside his jacket, he removes blue steel.
From another pocket, he produces a slender tube; a silencer. A tool of trade for one who is
Dangerous
The motion of screwing the tube onto the barrel reflects off his shades,
and the motion of the gun pressing into the roof of his mouth
reflects off the black bourbon bottle.
This client knows there is no escape from the man in black
because as he looks into the shining glare of his silver tipped boots,
the reflection of the arm behind the trigger bears the eight hash marks of a man who is
Dangerous
Comments
What a chilling tale! Perfect for an October evening. Do you still write?
- AUTHOR
Jodah, thank you very much. I am also looking forward to digging a little deeper into your surplus. I like your style of poetry.
I have only recently made your acquaintance Wayne, thanks to dear Nellieanna introducing us. I am slowly making my way randomly through the hubs of all my new talented friends on hub pages and your hubs never disappoint. The first of yours I read was the amazing "peanuts and Popcorn", followed by the unique"Flies, Rats and the Daily News". This one is truly 'dangerous!' Loved it, voted up. I still have a lot of inspiring hubs ahead of me, but an enjoyable journey.
- AUTHOR
Thank you dianne. I appreciate the visit.
I have been away from Hubpages for about 6 months. How refershing to come back and see your work.
Hold on Cat - I just sent you a card of hot buttered buns - and they belong to me Sweetie , lol lol
Oh , Hi Wayne , remember to ask Cat about this card, okay. lol
Well, Wayne dear, you've certainly had an interesting life and despite how you got here; I'm glad you did. You should be proud of how wonderful you've turned out. You know, you could just be some bitter, angry man, but you're quite the opposite. Anyway, you'll be happy to know, I'm a good 4 hours from the city. I live where the birds sing songs of Wayne :D ... so no need to drudge up any unwanted memories, should you lovely people every travel my way. I did happen to notice, New York is on the way to Maine :D.
Okay, now that I've stopped to read what my dearest Colin had to say, seeing as he was calling me out; I believe he said something along the lines of 'that Wayne Barrett is a real class act', I shook my head in agreement, which of course he couldn't see and then I went on about your hot buttered buns... lol
Two nice ladies I would recommend to you Sir Wayne are my buddies VICKI W and ROSE THE PLANNER from Vancouver and Toronto.
Lake erie is just a ruse I am actually from Mars, Canada, lol
- AUTHOR
I guess I should have specified the Epi man from the great white north. Now that you mentioned it, I have accumulated quite a few friends from Canada since joining HP.
Actually when I walk by the ladies they all blow a dog whistle, lol , and ask me where is my dog collar, lol, true story and who is dat guy from Canada? It is Mister Moore? lol
- AUTHOR
Colin, now I know what that ringing in my ear was. At first I thought it was a dog blowing a human whistle!
I have met Tony DeLorger and started following his work. He is a talented poet...much like someone I know from Canada!
Thank you very much for the kind words, Epi. And have a wonderful weekend.
You are so talented Sir Wayne that you are fookin' dangerous, lol lol, probably the most dangerous dude on Hubpages and certainly the most talented. I was talking to Cat the other day and thinking about the male writers at the Hub and your name was the first to come to mind - after that I couldn't think of anyone else - lol lol lol lol - so you see Sir Wayne not only are a man for all seasons but you are a gentleman for all seasons too - thank you for always moving around in your writing - it was a grand day when you and I both met - and a homework assignment for you - please check out a poet's poet Tony DeLorger from Australia - I've been meaning to introduce the two of you
and yes have a lovely safe and happy weekend too and hugs to your family from Colin and his cat crew at lake erie time canada 1:04pm
- AUTHOR
Cat, and if we're ever in new York...
Actually I lived on Jersey for a couple of years when I was a teen. We were by the meadow lands and I could see new York city from my high school. We were only there in hiding because my step father had escaped from prison and he was from new York. I don't have great memories of that place and time.
Gee, thanks Wayne! That means a lot and I think very highly of you. I continue to be amazed at this little HP world and all of the wonderful and supportive people I've met here.
If you're really going to have a dinner like that, let me know! According to MapQuest, I can be there in less than 24 hours... scared yet? lol
- AUTHOR
dreamseeker, thank you very much.
Wouldn't want to meet up with that guy!! : ) Voted it up and interesting.
- AUTHOR
Cat, I appreciate all the nice things you always have to say. You have become a true friend. It is too bad that we all live so far apart or it would be so enlightening and enjoyable to have all my hubber friends at my dinner table. Just imagine...I could ferment some wine, roll a couple of fatty's, hire a mime and voila...instant poetry madness on hubpages the following day!!!
God Wayne! Yes, I'm calling you God! :D You can tell a story like nobody's business and it seems so effortless! What a damn creative imagination you have! Just once... I want to sit at your dinner table... something tells me your trip to the post office would leave me in awe :D
Up and more ~ Sharing too!
Have a wonderful day deary!
Cat
- AUTHOR
Deb, as long a your just tipping your Birdie hat but not your Birdie finger I'm satisfied. :-)
Thank you for the visit.
- AUTHOR
Than you Sha. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
- AUTHOR
Mike, thank you very much for the visit.
I tip my birding hat to you, Wayne. This is high collateral EXCELLENT.
Wow, what a chilling story. Your words had me right there, following every movement. I'm just glad it stopped when he saw his tattoo in the reflection of his silver tips. I don't like blood and wouldn't have wanted to be in the room when Mr. Dangerous blew his brains out!
- AUTHOR
Thank you, cleaner.
A well written, dark and mysterious poem. Thanks for sharing!
- AUTHOR
Nellieanna, my pleasure.
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Rasma.
great powerful write Wayne..
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Dim Flaxenwick
I'm certainly humbled by two of the best of the best really strong poets on HP saying such nice things about me!
What great shots for my lagging showing on here lately! In fact, I came today to start a hub; but first, I needed to check on comments and replies. How glad I am I did! Thank you both, Wayne and Vincent, for your great boosters! Hugs.
Creatively and mysteriously fascinating.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Katheryn. I enjoyed writing this one.
Sad yet brilliant.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Beth. Funny you should mention him, I listed a poem about him by Stephen King at the bottom of the hub.
- AUTHOR
Thank you very much, Will. Good to see you here.
- AUTHOR
Sir Vincent, thank you very much for the feedback and the share my friend. I have been thinking about this piece for awhile and was trying to decide whether to do a poem or a short story from it ( not to say that I still couldn't). I have a lot of pretty shady characters in my past including family members, so I think I have an idea of how to describe them. And it's not nearly as glamorous as Hollywood tries to portray it. Most of those in my past who were involved are either dead, in prison, or following Jesus with handicapped minds.
I appreciate you stopping by, someone who I think also has an inkling, it's always a pleasure.
I liked this "dangerous" story, and the repetition and imagery. It felt very much like watching a crime movie. Thanks for sharing this with us.
~ Kathryn
I tried to comment earlier but you know, damn "smart" phones. I seem to have a problem with Hubpage comments on my phone. I read this at lunch and was enthralled as if I was reading a short story. Of course, I couldn't help but picture "The Walkin' Dude" Randall Flagg (or any of his other many names). Anyways, it was a great distraction from crappy work, so thank you = )
Voted up and awesome
Wow! Very good stuff, Wayne!
What a stirring write my friend. I felt every move that Dangerous man in black made, I've seen a few in my time, like a bullet to the head type of man, means business, performs in style and as cold as ice, his rod caressing his chest, his friend his protector every time he walks out into the shady sketchy streets filled with vermin who want to take him out.
A Dangerous man knows his prey, stalks it and claims it his own. Dresses the part, looking damm smart, the man in black a classy act of lethal intentions. You were very visual with this one Wayne, grabbing the attention of your reader, like a good writer should, and sir you are on of the finest.
Also when you draw the attention of a magnificent writer/poet the caliber of Nellieanna Hay, then my friend you know you have captured one of the best commenters at the Hubs. Bravo, voted way up and shared.
- AUTHOR
My wonderful friend, Nellieanna. A great poet at my hub and I hope all that read and have not had the pleasure to find you will look you up now and discover a hidden treasure.
I am always appreciative that you seem to have the ability to look deep into my ramblings and be able to pluck the meanings my mind was attempting to portray. As always, I thank you very much for visiting my work and leaving your complimentary and insightful comments.
What a mini-drama! Well told, Wayne; - -the 'dangerous' repetition never lets one forget it, up to the inevitable dangerous ending. Perhaps there are countless not-so-permanently 'dangerous' personalities whose damages wrought to others may end up quite as weary with their ugly selves and lives as this man in black. So sad. What a waste of precious life.
This memorable wording caught my eye: ". . slowly stalks up the stairs . . " Such a vivid but not so ordinary, depiction of an ordinary action.
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