Of life
the bartender
and I spoke
yesterday

pouring my
rum over
ice, chilling
the spirit

“Make it a double
the day was long”
I said, “I need to
forget it

By poisoning
myself a little,
stunt life for
a few hours

keep it there”
I told him
“the bottle
is my friend…

we go back
several decades
of memorable
nights in the city,

this foolish man
wants to smile
the whole ride home
but first, we dance.

the tunes
will fill me with
a generous lust
that will not be repented”