minus mr. sax

by Anne Marie Fowler

how surprised I was to step into the haze
of the club and find your riffs stashed inside
the bricks at the door the bouncer said the man
ain’t here but I could still see your silhouette
on the stage the bar girl pursed her raisin sin
lips tsked at how much paler my skin was
in the non-glow of your solo what night siren drew
you away mr. sax man and when her velvet voice
cracks black from her next cigarette how many
miles will you crawl to get back
to me straight bourbon in my glass burns wild
through the polar caps when sunlight fades you
from my night I think where do I go the engine
of my old Buick mimics your be-bop beat
minus your fire-breathing horn minus you