King Kong Falling from the Empire State Building

by James Valvis

Shot, bleeding, unable to grasp the walls
to stop his fall, only now does he realize
the impossibility of the relationship,

not just the species and size differences
but also the demands that would be made
on his privacy, slowing his steps to a crawl

on those moonlit beach walks, shaving
every morning, putting on fine clothes.
He should have seen it sooner. He’s more

an action hero than a romantic lead.
Only now, as he tumbles toward death
does he see what the bullets mean:

it wasn’t beauty that killed the beast,
but the beast not recognizing he’s a beast,
believing he too could be beautiful.