Another dirty martini, please

[dcmarti1]

Another dirty martini, please

 

“Two bottles

of Boone's Farm peach wine

and he called me to the couch.

His head on my thigh, I stroked his hair --

what the Navy let us have!

That was all we did

on peach wine.

 

“Long watches

in the engine room

and I called him to the bench.

I stood behind him, hips to his back

and my arms across his chest.

That was all we did

on the ship.

 

“I saw his

Florida mug shot

just last night; his victims were

12 and 16. My heart stopped again,

just like the very first time

that I was ravished

by his eyes.”

 

May 2013

[Tinker]

Ouch! Your last stanza made me cringe, but I love the form.

 

Tink

[dcmarti1]

Thanks! I found this Septet II (3/5/7/9/7/5/3 syllables) at poetrybase.info web site.

 

I do hope that the quotes gave the effect that I was talking to a bartender, hence the title of the poem. And, yes, this is a true story; just not the last night part. It was actually some time ago but long after my Navy days.

[dr_con]

This was astonishing. Yes, hard hitting, the bartender part did not occur but I blame that on the time of the morning and my wake/coming awake cycle- since the title clearly indicates the set and setting.

 

Loved it.

 

Juris

[Benjamin]

A slice of life smoothly worked into this interesting syllabic form which suits the subject matter very well . Enjoyed. B.

[dcmarti1]

Thank you both, dr_con & Benjamin. The syllabic form forces one to crystallize and condense.

[badger11]

The ending is disturbing, but honest. No doubt the beast knows how to ensnare.

 

 

badge

[moonqueen]

Okay, marti, this causes my mind to 'whirl'. I too enjoyed the form, but more is how it affects me. (Boone's Farm Berry Frost for me, thank you)

 

I have never been able to understand the reasons on which people judge others and how they presume to tell others how to live their lives.

 

You must have been horrified to learn who/what he was.

 

I have enjoyed this one, repeatedly, trying to decide exactly what to say. I'm glad some things improve as this lunatic life races by.

[dcmarti1]

You must have been horrified to learn who/what he was.

 

Not so much horrified as to a complete inability to understand, both how for him and why for the victims. Maybe more sorrow than horror. Thank you for taking the time.

[dcmarti1]

The ending is disturbing, but honest.

 

 

badge

 

Those are two compliments. Thank you. I had to write it to get it out because it had been welling up. I'm glad it was not rejected for its treatment of the situation.