All That Jazz

 

He sits alone in the smoke

filled night club drinking his

vodka rocks and listens to

live jazz.

He notices the couple

two tables down. Lovers

no doubt. They are too

enamored with one and

other to be married.

Could be newlywed.

That would explain the

goo-goo eyes and hand

holding they exchanged.

Not more than a year of

wedlock, he figures. That

sort of affectionate behavior

rarely lasts more than a

year or so.

He was alone having

personally known the

myriad crazy phases

of love relationships.

And for a time now

after 40-years he was

sidelined with only

his loneliness, his

vodka rocks and

mood indigo jazz

music.

That young couple two

tables down brought back

vivid memories of his own

Days of Wine and Roses.

Dream on lovebirds, dream

on. Life and time will even-

tually have its rude-awakening

way.

The piano man plays

Smoke Gets in your Eyes,

a fitting tune, he muses.

He lights up a cigarette,

and places his order as the

waitress passes by. The

same, she inquires?

This time make it a double,

he replies. She nods her

head and smiles.

                 -30-

Chris Hanch 11-11-2022