BY STEVEN SANDAGE
Copyright is held by the author.
11:33pm
Betty’s Tavern
the place we hate,
yet always end up going.
Clandestine parking job,
with a hint
of potential towing.
11:58pm
I show up first,
and perch at the bar.
“One double vodka soda and one double tequila sunrise”
Her preferences crystalline
and cold
Mine gossamer and golden
12:19am
I muddle through my doubts,
while she finds a reason
to park near the entrance.
12:34am
Her cigarette lighter
keychain clinks
against the handle of the front door.
6’2 and glowing
in black. Dotted sleeves
and see thru, unassailable.
Out of my league and single.
Unavailable.
Just my type.
12:35am
One kiss, then a sip
and then a passionate kiss
that makes time stand still and wipes away all doubt.
12:36am
I doubt
we will have more
than just this round.
01:41am
I doubt
my car is in
the impound lot by now.
01:44am
I doubt
someone will see
us leave together.
02:14am
I doubt
I can even remember
all of her spots;
I doubt
she’ll be able
to remember mine.
04:33am
I doubt
he’ll notice
the marks on her neck.
04:33am
I doubt
I’ll end up
missing her again.
04:33am
I doubt
we will keep
this going after tonight.
***
Steven Sandage was born in Hillsboro, Oregon. A lover of literature and poetry, he is studying creative writing at Fresno State University. His graduation date is set for the fall semester of 2024. His influences and inspirations include Hemingway, Coleridge, Poe, Acevedo, and Dickinson among many others. His poem “Peculiar Particles” was chosen for publication with Wingless Dreamer for their Wild Hearts anthology set to be released in the summer of 2023.
