Danger Café

Relinquish your fears and come by my side,
Kiss me on the lips and feel my skin;
We live our lives wild in the danger café.

In the dark house of splendid isolation
Were born the raconteurs of the hour,
Telling stories of frothy beaches
And trekking in the snow-capped hills;
By the fire of the kitchen hearth
Lay the cats from the moon’s descent
Groomed like bards, smooth as your neck,
Laying puns over adverbs, they played
With your wonder’s docile strings.

Pardon my English, I’m French, says the waiter.
Slurp your drink and look into my eyes,
Lose your heart tonight.

In a half day’s worth of life, what indeed
Is the meaning of a verb? Only nouns,
Seldom an adjective suffices a movement,
Lazing at the foot of a cushioned couch
Slept the wisest being in the room;
At once intelligent and in equal measures
Clumsy, the black dog yawned at us all:
Got up, wagged its tail and struck a light,
Paced to the porch and crossed its legs,
Exhaled a puff of smoke and said:
“You deserve this distance;
Took for granted the bread in the oven,
Stole a rye and crushed a pie,
Drove your mind into a frenzy over a night’s strand,
Denied a chance to change the rug,
Slept alone and slept with all,
You deserve this wind.”

Take my hand and follow me,
Speak not a word lest they know we touched,
Stay close yet far.

Gardens adorning the crystal palace,
Obscured from plain view;
Close your eyes and I will help you see
Beauty preserved in a translucent dream,
Match my steps and I will lead you straight
To a place of calm songs in May,
Hear me close and I will whisper into you
Secrets of the sea violent and elegant,
Come close to me and I will help you peel
That danger that you fear and then we will sing
To the fragrant moon in the pink sky.

Drink with me and soothe your heart,
Nurture the curiosity, we are at an end;
Lie with me and watch me die.