Shaken, Not Stirred
 

She offering a choice of afterdinner drink
(always allow the condemned a selection)
but he wants his with-a-twisted Usual
so pardon her: what governor would commute
any sentence pronounced on such as he?

She striking as ever, utensils in hand
(knife still honed, no runaway with spoon)
and he wants her appetite self-evidently
equipped but Not Tonight: help yourself
to butterflakes-in-stomach hardache

She looking through deflickering eyes
(wetting lips with no linger of whistle)
speaks words that cede without clemency
springs the trap to choke him up above
his with-a-twisted Usual crawstick limits

She offering a sort of afterdinner grace
(always helps to keep comeuppance down)
guide him through the shadow of fallout
and assist him to swallow and digest
the same: wham bam thank you ma'am amen.

 

     




Originally published in Livonia
(Montebello, CA: Livonia Magazine)
Number 1, July 1992

Copyright © 1992, 2004  by P. S. Ehrlich

 


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