I'll stand here against the wall with an apple on my head,
just to see if anybody splits it.
Downstairs is the Chinese restaurant where silent waitresses
bring us loaded plates and little cups for tea.
You're Greek and I'm Irish, so naturally the Lucky Dragon is our balancing point.
Moving into the open-window flat upstairs was probably overkill,
but we are desperate like that, all we need is a V-8 '32 Ford and two fedoras.
Bonnie didn't really smoke cigars; reality is just a template we can fuck with.
The grifters and junkies have taken over the park down the street;
they pimp out their girlfriends and sit on the edge of the fountain all day
watching for marks. It used to be nice here. Sort of. Better than now.
With my head on your shoulder, I tell you about the war movie I saw
when I lived over there. Everybody cheered when a Jap plane went down.
Street vendors sold the most delicious warm bread, and the buses allowed chickens.
Maybe it wasn't gunfire. Maybe we're really in love.
Maybe you're not lazier than shit and maybe I'm straight after all.
Here, have an apple. Trust me, it's good for you.
I don't know it now, but I will kick this jones.
You I'll never see again after Ohio four years from now,
and the Lucky Dragon? I'll have left my 20s there. If you hock them, save the ticket.
_____
For the Real Toads mini-challenge: Marilyn Chin.
This is such an intriguing piece :D
ReplyDeleteMaybe it wasn't gunfire. Maybe we're really in love.
Maybe you're not lazier than shit and maybe I'm straight after all.
Here, have an apple. Trust me, it's good for you.
Loved these lines.. beautifully penned :D
PS: Congratulations on your new book! :D
You definitely made me grin with the last two stanzas. Excellent writing, as always.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been some July 4th celebration ~ I smiled at this line: You're Greek and I'm Irish, so naturally the Lucky Dragon is our balancing point.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your true life adventure ~ Thanks for linking up with Sunday's Challenge and wishing you happy weekend ~
Love the reference with apples and Bonnie an Clyde. An adventure like this, where fireworks could be gunfire..
ReplyDeleteI love it - the mix of hard-boiled and nostalgic. Interesting twenties! Sounds like you found the ticket, or at least some snapshots. I'm a total sucker for things like this - the voice, the tone ... and am reminded of my own twenties, though they were perhaps a little tamer.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out to be an epic tale of love and loss.
ReplyDelete"Reality is just a template we can fuck with." Hell, yeah!
Kerry already quoted my favorite line. This is cooler than cool.
ReplyDeleteCrazy wild beautiful words! Raw rough images make for the most amazing memories :D
ReplyDeleteI kicked my jones 40 yrs. ago became an alcoholic for 10 yrs. now... 18 yrs later...peace, understanding, and birds in my hair :-)
ReplyDeleteZQ
Another wonderful visit here.
I saw your avatar Shay and had to stop by. You know you never cease to amaze. Damn you are so in your face clever, shocking, brill!
ReplyDeleteMuch love Moonie
(always smiling even on the darkside)
Wow! You Marilyn Chin'd this to the max and I loved every line.
ReplyDeleteIt would be pretty great to have a ticket where one could redeem one's twenties--even if left in Ohio Your wonderful energy and sardonics here--always a great ride. Thanks. k.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great, rollicking read.
ReplyDeleteOuch. Maybe it is more real where it is at last: the moment with the head on the shoulder. The Apple. Splitting the difference. Life is as dangerous as this poem. Grooving with the song.
ReplyDeleteYour details freakin' rock!! I enjoyed this!!
ReplyDelete