The Crux of the Matter

The crux of the matter

This is what we are after

She said and then

Levelled the gun

And then

Pointing the gun in my direction

Pointing the business end of said gun

In my direction

This causing consternation and

Stuttering as

The wrong end of barrels pointing, mainly gun barrels pointing

Disagrees with my proclivity to discourse freely

Or at least without pause or repetitive actions

IE stuttering

So stuttering occurred and then increased with

The cocking of said weapon's hammer

The crux you say, I boldly and firmly managed

Though bold nor firm could describe my mental state at the time

Always the crux, it's the centre of things really, I tried

Naturally, said she and pulled the trigger three times

If anything was repeated after this

I heard it not

But I do know, in hindsight

The crux of the matter was not gotten at

Unless it involved my death

Which then begs the point

Why ask about it in the first place?

By: Daniel Smallegange, all rights reserved, copyright 2025.

Photo by Blake Morrow, from a still of the author from the short film The Officer.