Richard Fox has contributed work to many literary journals. In 2000, he was the recipient of a full fellowship for poetry from the Illinois Arts Council. Swagger & Remorse, his first book of poetry, was published in December, 2007. He holds a BFA in Photography from Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, and lives in Chicago.

THE SHOWER SCENE FROM PSYCHO (ALTERNATE TAKE)

Between the softer
prods of water
fit the subtle
moans of the rut

Although no one plotted
such water-borne
seduction as this
they both did

but had sworn
they hadn't They are
care-worn creatures
of habit

donning socks & shoes
white white slip
& boxer shorts-none
of which could foretell

the day's wrong-done
joy convulsed
as they phone in
takes twenty &

twenty-one
which are more
or less the same
as certain ones

they ran
before She will thrust
aside the curtain

& step into the motel
shower alone He says
you do what you can

She says you do
what you must-
it's the stronger impulse