an exploration

I had just left Old Town

to walk up a great forested hill

when the rain came

I ducked into an ancient library

but the deluge lasted 

the length of a cigarette

so I left the stacks of wisdom

and the grey overhead gave way 

to electric blue 

through the canopy 

and beyond the waterfalls

past an ancient warrior ground

I saw a sign that said Magical Cavern

so naturally I followed it

at the top of the hill

was a gathering of folk

but they knew nothing of the cave

they began to talk

and suddenly with my arrival 

were questioning everything

they thought they knew

there was a soft righteous sound 

and A Whiter Shade of Pale 

drifted down the hill

but it was the Michael Bolton version

and the Magic Cave was a gift shop

so I descended

wednesday

outside the Aquarium children are playing

grey haired lesbians from middle America

are eating sandwiches

and drinking beer together

Bernard walks around

taking orders and shaking hands

he's always smiling

but he'll fucking kill you

he told me so

the regulars are here

and the people who will never come again

Stephanie works the bar

pouring drinks

washing glasses

smiling secretly

she's got an edge that I love but

her tattooed boyfriend is here too

he's into some gangsta shit

and I'm not tryin' to mess with that

people travel quickly up and down the quaint street

running errands

running from the law

going to school

on scooters, bicycles

and their own two feet

but life at the Aquarium moves slow

like a blue whale sifting through plankton

or a great white shark, idling, ready to breach

bubble juice

scents in the palace

bringing us together

you wander

and I follow

bathed in light 

and ambiance

you glance over your shoulder

I'm still there

let's get out of here

to the streets

where we can be alone

with each other

I know a place

where they know me

it's not far

if you want to come

gin for me

vodka for you

your legs press against mine

and I know it's gonna be alright

high above the city

you see the world

through my eyes

and want to know more

slow movements

gentle touch

soft lips

now you're gone and I'm still here

Hannah

at first your hip thrusts where hostile

like you were trying to steal our space

but you smiled and moved closer

flicking your pierced tongue

a cobra ready to strike

an invitation

like a moon flower

opening in the twilight

I had already noticed

the curves beneath your dress

and the color in your hair

do you want to hang out, she asked

sure, I said

what are you drinking?

not tonight

why is it

always

late in the evening

when you have

to get up

early

that you meet

two giggling

Polish girls

who are 

smiling

laughing at 

your jokes

and want to 

party

with you?