dirty rings

silly clown,

retrieve your naked wife

swimming with those war weary soldiers  

off that rocky shore.

gloomy skies water these unmarked graves

but we’ll erect tents in the downpour,

holy temples to innocence and joy.

after the rain

we’ll smear on make-up

adorn our best remaining costumes

parade downtown to invite the city to our show.

they’ll marvel at our antics

laugh at the juggling midget

gasp at the tightrope walk

forget their misery beyond the northern hill

if just for a few minutes.

come clown,

gather your unfaithful bride

so we may begin our work.

swimming

a princess gazes into the bewitchin’ pool
in love with her shimmering reflection
the catfish’s scaleless illusion transforms
bringing youthful beauty to the longing leper
she wades towards a moonlight cascade dance
tossing jewels and clothes aside
tributes for the wise whiskered one
she raises her arms out
leans back
floats supine for her gilled lover

last call

Death, my old friend
i perch upon this french quarter stoop to drink with you
raise your bourbon and meet my glass
let us not speak of darkness and gathering gloom
but the eternal feast ahead
shall we sing to the stars or the waning orb?

Death, my old friend
i knew one day we’d dance here under gas lamps and galleries
take in deep once more the mighty mississippi
let us send whatever coins and mardi gras doubloons left in our pockets
skipping across cobblestones before sunrise
have we enough time for chess?

Death, my old friend
i welcome you with open arms
a promise kept, though liquor-drenched
let us relive our glory, our lifelong courtship with
one more wine before locking arms and stumbling towards the abyss
will you whisper one last story?

Death, my old friend
i perch upon this french quarter stoop to drink with you