road block on existential avenue

i had to do something for my publisher

contractually obligated

they sent a car since i don’t have one

a public relations assistant drove

 

she was japanese

i live in the city

so i shouldn’t be surprised that she had no accent

but i always am

 

we arrive and i go to tip my flask

she takes it out of my hand

i’m shocked but comply

follow her inside

 

do everything she tells me

then we head back to her car

i ask for my flask back

but she won’t give it till i buy her a drink

 

she chooses the restaurant

chinese

i don’t state the obvious

as we are handed menus

 

the zodiac animals adorn

i thought there was a year of the cat

but realize how stupid i will sound

if i ask

 

she’s still in charge

and tells the waiter i won’t need another drink

i tend to not argue with breath taking beauty

but i remember now why i live alone

 

finally i’m home

i want to walk the streets

but she takes me to my door

and waits for me to unlock it

 

inside she hands me my flask

and tells me to make us both a drink

she waits at the kitchen sink

while i pour

 

she scolds me for returning my advance

and not finishing my novel

i almost sit down and start to type

but she directs us to the couch

 

i am out of my comfort zone

a wordsmith stumbling over conversation

she is empress and i am the nation

when her lips suddenly find my own

 

she becomes the need

her hand stroking the back of my head

yielding where once she was an oak

though she is still firmly planted

 

i take nothing for granted

and just hold her for a long time after

night finds me asleep

and morning becomes the laughter

 

she types her number into my cell

and disappears on a sunbeam

i’m torn between reality and dreams

but i know i will call her

just as she has told me to do

 

***