I seemed to always end up
in some woman's smoke-filled apartment
with cats
she would direct me to one of two beanbags
that seemed to absorb my everything
especially my soul
coils of incense meandering just over my head
I remember there was usually an aquarium
This is the year of Aquarius . . .
stashed in the corner
the cats would stare longingly at it
after dropping the acid
the black snake which resided inside my heart
was awakened
something The Moody Blues wailed
or Janis
was sung to the snake
I became as one with it
the air was pliable
so much so I could reach out and break off pieces of it
the woman was undressing me
saying she would make a new body of me
(did she mean make a new man of me?)
no matter
I allowed her to consume me
which, I've no doubt
was what she wanted to do all along
I played the game
that's what I was there for
biding my time
giving to her what she needed
what she thought she needed
bidding my time
it was when Steppenwolf began testifying for
The Pusher Man
that I took charge and eased her into another dimension
her shrieks sounded like alley cats going at it
fingernails digging into my back
(I've scars to this day)
it felt like moon fingers giving me a rub down
they never wanted me to leave
but I had to
knowing if I didn't leave then
in a matter of time
they'd see right through me
and tell me to go
I preferred leaving on my terms

©July 1, 2012 / Jerry Pat Bolton