A New Friend By Wayne F. Burke

she stood in the

shadow of the parking lot, waved

and said hello as I walked past

I said how are you?

She said are you looking for love?

Said she gave love to people

nice to her.

I said and how much do these people

pay for love?

$100 she said.

And where do you go with these people?

To her room, or

anywhere else they want to go.

I said not in the mood

just now

she gave me her phone number

and a hug

said my face was handsome

I asked if she was broke

she said yes

I gave her $20

she said call me

I said

I have your number.

Wayne F. Burke's poetry and prose has been widely published in print and online (including in THE RYE WHISKEY REVIEW). He was nominated for a Pushcart by THE DOPE FIEND DAILY in 2022. He lives in Vermont (USA).