Theory of the Case

There's a body at the bottom

of the stairs lying

in a pool of blood.

You call 9-1-1

and say there's been 

an accident.

Someone's fallen 

down the stairs,

don't mention

the pool of blood.

An accident?

(you let that slip out) 

All you see are a body,

some blood,

and a set of stairs.

Maybe she was pushed.

Maybe she threw herself

down the stairs.

Maybe she was brought there.

You see a body you recognize,

you see stairs

and immediately a story 

takes shape.

Like when you see a piano, 

rows of black and white keys,

you put them in order

in your mind,

think musical notes ascending 

and descending,

start hearing a familiar song

in your head. 

You see stairs

think up and down,

think stories,

and fill in the blanks

to the 9-1-1 operator;

Her body is pale, 

cold to the touch

and you remember 

what it felt like warm.

Blood is sticky.

You say, send help, please,

give your address, please,

you say, she's not breathing, 

send help soon

please,

and hang up.

The newspaper will write

'found dead'.

They will never know 

what you know.  

You will say only

what you've already said, 

please, send help,

please,

because you know 

when called they come.

They will climb the stairs

with their questions

collect evidence

they will construct

a plausible story

a theory of the case

to convince the jury

to get the verdict

they want,

they will say 

what you are capable of,

assemble witnesses to testify,

to cast doubt on your love,

your story

and you're prepared for it.