Hey, don’t eye me like that. I’m putting down the bat.
You haven’t done anything to me. Not so far. Love me

like I love busting a guy’s head and we’ll get along swell.
I’m from Brooklyn. I know the horseshit stories about love

and fucking; I owned a whorehouse. You can’t shit a shitter.
Still, there are lovers and there are hitters. Me, I’m a hitter.

When I see a guy die, there’s this light that departs the eyes
like it’s got somewhere better to be. For a little while I’ll try

and treat you like you’re that better place the light travels to.
Keep looking at me like I’m a thick, juicy steak. I like that.

I’ll love you like the hitter who gets all his money up front.
You love me like that and we’ll be tough to get the drop on.

AL CAPONE OFFERS INSTRUCTION IN HOW TO LOVE by Roy Bentley


Photo by Michael Ivanov, used and adapted under CC.