Mary on the Half Shell

I wonder if the aloes
on the sill would still survive
if I only were to water them
when it rains outside.

As your elder I can tell you
that there's little left to chance.
Chop your least important fingers
from your most important hand.

It's best for all to end
as it should; not merely well.
Those who seek perfection
can revise the facts in hell.

Lost in right directions
with a splash of weekday wine
we enjoy our creature comforts
as the Vendor steals our time.

Pinky Ring

We go out back
in boxers that we might
or might not wear to bed
after one too many
gin-and-tonics
and an episode of
"The Sopranos" that's finally poignant.
Barefoot we walk
through the stained glass door
at the back of her Victorian's hallway
to sit upon a bench
made of plywood
that her landlord
built for the ad.
A plane passes overhead
while traffic hums
through the bridge to her left.
I finish my smoke first
since I do and she doesn't.
She passes me the rest of hers
asking, "Do you want this?"
Yes, I want this.