Heart Stain
Sun’s glare bathed Casino in an unforgiving light.
Casino, blushed, angry at Sun’s parting words.
Night’s shift started. Sun left. Casino recovered.
Entering, I noticed her shivering at the exit. I watched as
finger-shaped welts bloomed—arms matching swollen eyes.
That handprint will be on file downtown.
“Do you need the police?”
“No, just a Marlboro, man.”
Smoke-tainted, wine-stained,
our fingers touched;my heart sang.
I acquiesced and left, buzzing.
Rearview tears of merlot fall from my bloodshot eyes.
I search my memory as her memory fills my mind.
Emergency exit empty. No Smoking sign, no sign of her.
My heart laments her heartbreak and pleads, find me.
Smoke-tainted, wine-stained; I lost her, again.
Had our fingers touched? Had her heart sung?
Buzzed, I left unfulfilled.
Sun arrived. Casino watched as Night dressed quietly.
Leaving, Night whispered, “Sun doesn’t deserve you.”
Casino, tired and empty, awaited Night’s return.