an unrehearsed universe

Out to Pasture

Have a seat
I already poured you a drink
You have it neat right
I’ve seen you in here
Most nights of the week
I know you noticed
My notice I’m sorry
If that made things
Uncomfortable
I don’t want it to sound
Like I’m angling for more
I’m curious I confess
What a beautiful woman
Well you know the rest

I ducked my head
Ostensibly shy
To get a better look
It is what she expects
And I aim to please
When it costs
Nothing to do so
Though the flattery
Left me unmoved
I smiled anyways
Wide and full of teeth
Aiming for friendliness
I never miss the mark

Except today

I apologize this is on me
I clearly overstepped my bounds
Hope this doesn’t make you
I just thought

She trailed off stupidly
All but wringing her hands
In consternation
Darting away with relief
When another customer walked in
I should have called her back
Accepted her oblique insinuations
A drawn out flirtation
That would keep me in style
Until she realized I had
No intention of delivering
What my mouth promised

She’d seen me here
Most nights for weeks
Drawing her out
Making her want
I was always selling

Except today

It must be old age
When a young thing like that
Stirs in me pity
Instead of dollar signs
Yet something about the keenness
Of her glazed gaze
Roused my dormant conscience
I throw money on the bar
Leaving her to hustlers
With more ambition
And fewer scruples