Once on Cypress Street

shooters
by Michael C. Keith

 

Our host declares the party started

Toasting all with a tequila shot

Glasses are salted and then saluted

Everyone gulps and lungs grow hot

*

Another! he wails as we all recover

This is for all who bare their asses 

We drink his spirits with feigned abandon

As he flits about refilling our glasses

*

Raise them to sin and all that is nasty

Declares our swaggering compère

Drink up until you exceed all limits

To which he adds, forsake your fear

*

Again he pours more liquid deceptions

Eyeing each guest with lustful intent

You can handle another drink for certain

Says he, waiting as decorum is soon spent

*

My love weaves and leans on another

Although I stand within her reach

She presses her  body against his chest

And there commits a hurtful breach

*

As she appears about to fall unconscious

Our party-giver exclaims: She’s really high!

He declares it best she rest before we leave

Come this way, he says, hand on her thigh

*

We lay her limp body upon his full bed

Where other drunks have been consigned

Come have another drink my friend

Offers he, with lascivious design

*

The room tilts sharply as I clutch the table

Envisioning her naked inside the pile

In sultry darkness where she lets passions flow

While plotting excuses for future denial

 

 

Category: Poetry