jolly discourse

back to the beginning

the very start

a lone table

playlist blaring

tune it out

instead hear the silence

the conundrum of words

pounding the page

before the time of friends

of jolly discourse poured

over cups of dark roast and

chocolate croissants split into

bits for sharing

before the time of fine cars

pulled up close

the grinding of motors and

retired race car drivers reminiscing

about top shelf liquor

before the time of colored hair extensions and costume jewelry

seeking the approval of old Persian men who fall and fall away crushed

under squealing tires and nasty little dogs lost only to be buried in a simple shroud below a bloated dead race car driver

now back to the lone table

the incessant quiet of blaring music

and words colliding

creating a racket in a long closed notebook

©Karen Casady 2019