The Holy Days

Another poor somnabitch

Jumped from the toll bridge.

The second to jump since Thanksgiving.

The air temperature was 40° minus wind

When he walked out on the crossway

And leapt over the steel rail.

The water was even less forgiving.

Dark

With the sharp white of ice.

Due to recent rains and snowfall

The watermark was 5’ higher

Than normal

For this time of year.

He parked his Mercedes Benz

On the Pennsy side.

The wind was razor sharp

Cutting through fleece

Wool and leather.

His footsteps

Determined

And straight

In the fallen snow.

He was 74 years old

As he straddled the icey barrier

And asked his family and god

To forgive him

And fell

27 feet

Not to be discovered

Until several days later

Blue-grey and cold 

As the winter sky.

The red burning demons

Expelled into the 

Swirling black water.