corner pocket of my eye

the night was young and martini glasses began to fill
at the bar, conversations consisted of how their day…week went
with nearby intimate tables with unopened wine bottles on racks
…all waiting for people fall to in and relax

but i couldn’t really relax after work.
so i stand with my sam adams in hand…
…while get snuffed at pool.
“nine ball…corner pocket.”
i’d drink what’s left and i’d ordered another.

something caught my attention.
it was at the corner of my eye.
so i looked.
and i looked away a second later.
why do we…i…always do that?
“eight…nine…combo…side pocket.”
sure my friend, you’re killing me.

to my surprise there was this jewel in the back of the pool room.
i thought it was just decoration.
but the acoustic music circling around the room…around my mind…
…was actually controlled from here.
i saw an old favorite.
i unfolded a dollar and in it went.
the drums…the bass…the guitar…ensued.
and the lyrics…
it’s the kind of lyrics you don’t hear anymore
it’s the one that’s been played to death…
…and the one that takes you back in time

eight or nine ball isn’t my game…
…when a bet is on the line
texas hold’em on the other hand…
two weekends ago i was getting the cards
there was no need to bluff
since i have no poker face…at all
fearless was how i’d described it
and so that thought goes
as the nine ball sinks after the break…on the dam break
no such luck tonight
how about another round on me instead?

soon came an intervention.
a break from the killing fields at the table
where red candles stood still with glowing tips…
…all around a winter like cake
with sweet thanks for coming and celebrating on her day
we wished our friend a happy birthday earlier tonight
…happy birthday to you
and i hope your wish(es) comes true…

…the night in ended for not too long afterwards
and it was still young and vibrant…
…but it was an end of a long week at least to me
and it couldn’t have come any sooner…