three people at a table for two in the window of a truck
    stop bar 20 miles out of Shiloh
the only light is coming through the windows
makes everything look dusty
to my left is God
thin guy
glasses
shirt sleeves rolled up
loose tie
light of midafternoon
shining on a burger and fries and a beer
as if heavenly choirs of angels would suddenly
run out from the washrooms
or pop up from behind the bar to sing
their praises
but they don't
to my right through the window
is the dusty road I came in on
don't know how far it is back to where I came from
I've only ever measured it in steps
(40721 or 22.. there was a few that got confused when
    I turned around - I thought I saw something)
and across the table is Satan
Satan is a grumpy middle aged southern woman
smokes too much
faded blue cotton sundress little flowers
and its not that she's particularly evil
she just really doesn't like God
but she knows if she starts
anything
God'll get Jesus and the Holy Spirit out of the truck
I never really thought that was fair
and suddenly Satan stands up
grabs her hat
puts out her cigarette
rips my heart out of my chest
and stuffs it into the jukebox coinslot on her way out
and I can see her through the window
getting into a big American car
spewing dust and rocks and smoke
and she's gone
I turn to God for some explanation
but I think he just thinks it's funny
wipes his mouth
pats me on the shoulder
and he's gone too
and I realize that I'm alone
                   I'm confused
                   I've been stuck with the bill
                   and I'm listening to Elvis
one person with a gaping hole in his chest at a table
    for two in the window of a truck stop bar 20 miles
    out of Shiloh

(c) Peter Holliday