has to be hott

" the water has to be hott
to make bubbles rise
the water has to be hott"

mocking instructions on the
pink plastic bottle in his soapy grip
slips and crashes to the cold tiles
where his pride dangles between his strewn
belt buckle and jeans.

tom jones'a barratone like air raid syrens
"reeeeeeeeeeeeeeetreat!"
the steady beat of the drums perfect for
extinguishing candles littered around her apartment.

his fingers delve into the empty bath,
the lapping water echos against the porcelan
against the empty bathroom
against the empty apartment.


the water is luke warm
and won't get hott
his woman is late
and he won't rise.