Legacy

The music is loud.
The haze of the alcohol strikes as the bass reverberates.
It's a weeknight.
I'm deep in the maelstrom.
Tomorrow morning will come in only a few hours.
It's well past closing time.
Some ****** girls dance nearby.
They have that look of cornered prey in their eyes.

The look of prey that wants *****.
They hold eye contact a bit longer than they will *******.
A moment or two longer. But it speaks volumes.
They are wanting. They are available.
They haven't become bitter and jaded (yet).
They haven't dated someone like me (yet).


Deep down....we're all looking for magic.
We want to make eye contact, walk over, say something that doesn't matter.
And touch and forget, and feel the rest of the world fade and die.
We want something for which we'll give up other things.
We want something that puts the inconsequential bullshit into perspective.
We want escape.
Escape from ourselves.
Escape from work.
Escape life.
Escape from the questions.
Escape from the doubts.

A girl grabs me by the arm and asks my friends if I'm straight.
Given the setting, this is a fair question.
They affirm I am.
We stand next to the bar which is longer serving.
She falls into my eyes and falls for the wordless lies they whisper which are beyond my control.

The clock dies and I ride home with my buddy and others in tow.
I am ready for a thousand years of sleep and solitude.
The time for merriment and revelry has faded with the onset of weariness.
My soul is old and must rest.