Santa Barbara patron by Leisha Nicole Stanek

jaywalking is easy in the silence of the city
lights turn go and stop while I stand
on the dividing double yellow line
contemplating oncoming headlights -
but I see none.
you poor soul -
seduction, you tried, for hours and hours
and once I fell for your promised hotel room
I hollered at you sauntering in the wrong direction
lost on the pavement, dismissed by left shoulder glance.
the unfortunate repercussion
of being one dozen years my junior -
can’t responsibly hold your liquor
food and water are saviors when sex lingers
in the dark early morning hours.
was the lesson contemplated at all
as you helped me sweep
the patron’s side of the bar space?
using the broom to partner dance
instead of collecting straws and foot dirt;
disappearing down chrome plated stairs
to wait until I finished counting the day.
darling, your loss;
these Iowa hips
would’ve given you a new perspective
on your first visit to the Midwest.

Leisha Nicole Stanek

Midwestern woman wandering, writing, welcoming the shared energy of humans to piece together our purpose. Collector of art, books, tattoos and men between sheets. If whiskey laced coffee were a permissible and actual form of daily hydration; tomorrow it would begin.