WALL MOOD

The wall:

pastiche of broken hearts,

backrest of bums,

blackboard of adventure-seekers, daredevils all.

Lost in a shadow

and indiscernible

huddled

and indiscreet.

Soft lap of wave slap

plash on the breakwater,

mercury vapor glimming through shrubs;

a limb moves timely,

undulates slow.

Coy-slow steps in unsurprised expectancy round the curve and retrace back

with agitated diffidence, practiced casualness, hopeful, hushed, and

stop

against the wall.

A whispered damn,

suppressed laugh,

murmured recognition of a fellow stalker.

Experience offers

novice responds.

Walk away a while.

Cover.

Over.

Walk away.

Embarrassed participation

but reluctant cessation.

Though arousal's cooled, abandonment's refused.

Excited desires will one to

the wall.

one

-Tom E. Michael

24