no goodbyes

in a city
alive
music
dancing
lights
beale street
lorraine motel
sweet wild bill at the door
on vollintine
boom boom boom boom

i research
for him
at the mission
on poplar
how should i hold the bible?
right or left?
a photograph is taken
and he makes a silly face
to see me smile
and laugh
but he knows my frown
and he knows my darkness

we travel to
new mexico
and it is cold
snow
in the desert
hiding behind the tumbleweed
waiting to yell cut
he frowns
and i smile

at the party
it is the end
i sit alone
a round table
avoiding
the music
the dancing
the lights
he joins me
few words are spoken
for there is no need
one more
rum and coke
for the two of us

and then
i say
goodbye
he says
mi galleta,
there are
no goodbyes
thanks benny
for the ride