week 464 ~ as if the Mona Lisa came alive

as if the Mona Lisa came alive
and politely asked for a martini
straight up explaining breathlessly no jive
it’s hard outrunning the paparazzi
extra olives and light on the vermouth
she settles in and tells tall tales about
da Vinci and the joys of misspent youth
you better pay attention or she’ll pout
but as you start to ask a question she
looks up perturbed and says it’s time to go
she still has an important date to keep
and you’re left wondering what that could be
poised on the edge of a dream who can know
what goes on beyond the borders of sleep

week 346 ~ whether it’s love on the rocks or straight up

whether it’s love on the rocks or straight up
whatever this cocktail is good for me
shaken with ice or served neat I bet we
could even survive the blender a cup
mixed with bitters from another era
gin fizz sidecar martini manhattan
we exhale their evocative names then
pause to marvel as every breath we draw
thaws the road ahead hopes extrapolate
from actions if we’re lucky one day we’ll
look back at us safe warm and laughing still
to toast the bravery it took to create
this portrait of the inside of a heart
drinking in our intoxicating start

week 226 ~ maybe you always wanted plaid curtains

maybe you always wanted plaid curtains
a new ranch house one with central AC
and I guess that you knew for damned certain
you would never be getting them from me
was it a crossroad or a crossed wire
at the time I couldn’t tell didn’t know
that I’d been wounded in the crossfire
as I stumbled letting everything go
now I live in a house full of sunshine
where I’m unpacking boxes more my style
chardonnay’s still my least favorite wine
but I no longer drink it with a smile
bring on a dry martini a new face
losing it all has been my saving grace