-Jezebel-

1.

The elective would have been 
To speak of jazz standards

Whose closing syllables extended

The red-lead

Fire of her mouth ablaze at the mic.


This is when pneumonia 
Squirmed in the distance

Impatient for the flush of stainless-

Steeled hypodermics to shut you up.

But they couldn't——

Could they?

   

Mouth to the mic

Moves through the greying

Lyric of heroin.

2. 

Sing closely, 
Narcotic young Jezebel

Into my ear as I ask you ——

Dance with me?

                           for Anita O'Day