Bartender

68 5 3
                                    

I sold my heart for tequila and cocktail

napkins and your dark eyes watching me

sip on pear beer and wonder if it is god

or the devil who creates beautiful things like

you. "This doesn't have a number on it," you

snicker as I hand you a napkin, watch you toss

it into the trash, watch my heart rate spike

matching the bass driven rock and roll song I've

never heard. I've never heard of Wednesday night

crushes, leaning on the bar, raising my hand, a pupil

for your attention. You gave it. I gave in.

"This one has a number on it so don't throw it away."

Perhaps you were blind to the spark that shone brightly

hindering my vision and common sense. What did you do

with those seven numbers, my name signed in my best

cursive and my hands under my chin as I stare at my phone.

24, 48, 72 hours and the magazines say you'll never call and

my mind says "stupid girl, thinking you can catch fire when

just the sun burns your fingers". I'm scorched. Wondering

why I'm standing near the pool table, red under florescent

lights, eyes peeking over my shoulder to see you buying

more hearts for gin and juice. Leaning over the bar,

handing you my embarrassment to pay for pretty

pink mixed liquor hitting my lips.


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