A HOT SUMMER NIGHT AFTER TOO MUCH WINE By Michael Keshigian

With the empty green bottle in hand,

he found himself back at the exclusive club

where the sophisticated people milled about,

dropping names while drinking champagne

served in the entrance foyer.

A quite haughty yet beautiful woman

approached him, stepped out of her dress

and sat in the seat next to his,

her attire falling to her ankles.

She stated that only he, presently, 

and her husband, not in attendance,

had peeked the enhanced cleavage

created by her push-up under garments.

The spotlight turned from the singer

upon the stage toward her

to highlight her ample bosom

though the emerald necklace around her neck

produced a glare that blinded his stare

and caused him to fall forward 

while the band played 

“Good Golly Miss Molly!”

He immediately awoke, 

squeezing the pillows

upon which he slept.

An hour later, he stared out 

the same club’s window,

oddly enough

at the verdant lawn, drenched with rain

when a huge, black bear entered

his field of vision,

an angry bear, walking upright,

with matted fur from the ensuing cloudbursts

that created a stick-like figure

when the beast turned sideways,

lifted his head toward the pewter heavens

and roared a window shattering plea

then galloped toward the club for respite,

pounding thunderously at the door 

which woke him for the second time this night.

Michael Keshigian is the author of 14 poetry collections.  His work has appeared in numerous national and international journals as well as many online publications, including The California Quarterly, Sierra Nevada Review, Tipton Poetry Journal, San Pedro River Review, and Chiron Review.  He is a 7 time Pushcart Prize and 3 time Best Of The Net nominee.