It was twilight out

The brilliance of the fire, illuminating the grass

Makes everything hazy.

As hazy as the alcohol that flows through our blood,

The haziness of a fog-sunk morning.

There's a lot of mirth

In this sort of delusion.

One hot and brandy-sweetened night,

The air was warm with a gentle breeze,

The stars were out, a magical sight,

The moon shone down, so bright and please.

The waves rolled in, ever so soft,

A cool mist arose, evaporating fast,

The night was alive, with an almighty roar,

The fireflies flew, a shadow of the past.

The night was alive with such a sweet smell,

Of brandy, and honey, and of course, wine,

The birds sang a tune, such a delightful jest,

The stars twinkled, so divine.

The night was so peaceful, and so still,

No one around, no one to hear,

The night was so special, one of a kind,

A night to remember, so near and dear.

One hot and brandy-sweetened night

A year or two ago

’Twas filled with massive want and waste -

But left no warm afterglow.

*

I woke to learn my bank account

Had plummeted to empty

For I’d spent far too much

On endless drinks aplenty.

*

What’s worse, I did not recall the taste

Of that which cost so much,

French cognac at its finest,

The drink of kings and such.

*

Louis XIII is a true elixir

A drink of divine delight

Still, a glass or two will cost you

Take all your money in a single night.

*

I fear I had not just one – or two

But bought the room a round

And now I’m dead broke even though

I'm the most popular guy in town.

The bar maid looked out

sized me up, brown eyes sad:

...what'll you have?

One hot and brandy-sweetened night.

she mopped the cold rings

off the countertop:

...will that be all?

Keep the tab open for Life.

the barstool swiveled round

taking in the room, the crowd

...want your change now?

Everything's like sunset going down

hear her hanging the bar-rag

stacking the cork coasters high

...need to call a cab, Pops?

One cold and brandy-bittered night.

11.16.2023

One hot and brandy-sweetened night @dctezcan

*alternately, as time allowed:

One hot and Brandy-sweetened night

I set a heated breath

upon the nape

of a neck

I'd never met...

The scent of a liquor

I'd never forget..

fruit and flowers

on the patio

and no where

to put aside

the cool sweated glass

I've never had a Brandy

as faint and delicate

as on that

Fall

Equinox.