ripeness is all

ripeness is all

'ripeness is all' the barman said
as he sliced the lemon and looked up with practiced seduction
at Madeleine, who blushed and turned to examine
the eighteen prints of giraffes and gazelles
that littered the overdone wall

intent on the pictures, she failed to notice the swordfish
that swooped across the wall behind her
and stopped six inches away from the top of her head
its beady eye watching and waiting

'now' said the barman

alas -- the fish missed:
a dire miscalculation that left it swimming around the floor
in a puddle of spilled margaritas

Madeleine lifted her feet with care
then brought one stiletto sharply down
on the fish's shimmering head
which popped, wheezed and slowly deflated.

the barman lowered his eyes, ashamed


Comments

[Catherine Edmunds]

Published in Balancing Act (Leaf Books)