inamorato
your kisses are liquor-bitter, love.

smiling songbird glitters onstage
sequined gown spinning fractals
of light and glamorous dreams
that struggle not to crumble into ash
he turns away, don’t you see? honey,
he’s not worth your time,
not worth the effort; find another, sweet

diamonds are a girl’s best friend
her neck is roped with them
and adamants nestle among white gold
but diamonds don’t pay for heartbreak
so beautiful, darling, i’ve got you now
and we'll fuck counterclockwise
on your dead sister's bed

she waits for that knight
in his sleek chauffeured black Cadillac
it doesn’t matter that he mixes opium
for Chicago’s underground elite
love is blind, oh yes of course
but you'd be blind not to notice
his cufflinks, his associates, his cologne

behind the curtains she cringes
at the beer-scented roses and love-notes
the patrons always slip beneath the door
but she’s only waiting for his token
third time's the charm, they say,
first time was a smile, next was a kiss:
i’m ready to hear that promise

tomorrow, she’ll wear a different dress
and sing love-songs to a drunken crowd;
it’s too much to hope, nowadays.