The Bachelor

And yet another nightgown

drapes in trophy over bedpost

he smirks an ear up

dances an eyebrow,

celebrating loneliness

Silk dyed to onyx

patterned pearl and lavender

this one—the latest to succumb

a fresh layer to his ego

this one—wraps around the mound

of those that came before

with eagled arms

swallowing pile and pillar alike

kept in orderly chaos

these scalps of romance

offer no softer side

a deck of cards

fans the nightstand sprawling

under rose shade and lamplight

the bachelor eyes the jack

of spades and many trades

standing alone among

the crowd of crowns and digits

fine manicured fingers

snatch the jack and twirl

betwixt knuckles and nails

bursting from bedside

hops feet to floor

into slippers of fur

he swoops up

the remaining cards

shuffles through

sparks his intent

his robe drags tails

behind streaming streamers

across the love den

in delicate motions

baby breathing

card by card

the house rises up

off the cherry wood

“A” frames

wall to wall

back to back

three stories, stop.

He tops this tower

with the King and Queen

of hearts and desire

enthroned on the backs

of faceless numbers

and suicide jacks

The bachelor returns bedside

in four lovely strides

pivots

arms himself

with the jack of spades

readies the steady hand

takes aim

and shoots.