Thursday, July 23, 2015

Pool or Chess – v3

He prowled the room
Around the regulation table
Intent, certain, entranced,
Focused, efficient, moving;
Body bent, contorted
To make this shot
and the next, already planned
using angle and motion,
just enough, push,
to sink it, another,
Be ready, each in sequence…

A miscue, a pause
to think, a sip of the warm bourbon;
Lick the new butt from the pack
light the spark, the flame,
feel the heat, alive,
the new-smoke kissing his face
Laugh for effect, for show,
Through affable eyes

Work the table, the room,
in syncopation, bravado,
Ball on ball, smack,
does it really matter;
Smoke and music
Lean into the glass
Slide down the throat
Smile, deep satisfaction

Laugh at the banter,
A Game, not so important,
but for him, a challenge, more,
a test of will, control where he can;
Easy on his feet and in a crowd
Working the room, his eyes,
as he does, everyman and friend
comfortable confidante -
Eight ball in the corner pocket
… Sweet

=====
edited July 23, 2015
Pool or Chess – v3
(editing version 2)
edited February 1, 2014
Pool or Chess – v2
March 26, 2004
Pool or Chess


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,740+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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