Possession is Nine-Tenths

Anthony Alessandrini
 

After Dušan Malíř

May I call you? To ask so skillfully
It’s this I crave from you my Enemy.
He phoned just to tell me there’s nothing to divulge
And wrecked my courage with envy. Et voilà. We left,
All proud promises. We,

Oddly less jealous. Nymph, do come in.
Why make a scene? I’ll teach you to cry
Typically, pining for the wine and the rocks.
My hopes have been prudently pre-determined
So I can savor each nuance of your à-la-mode rue.
The bartender rose to preach love to the city.
Stars shine each cathedral-like in brine.
Toppling is never quite like waltzing.
Paper tiger, I’ve got it bad for you. Hello madam.
Do please tell my body

When you’ll return.

Anthony Alessandrini lives in Brooklyn and teaches English at Kingsborough Community College-City University of New York.