Asylum

Under the dimmed lights, shadowed faces. Bow-tied waiters pad by silently. From the blistering sun Into dark, cold caves Offering anonymity, security Of a faceless existence.

The impassive courtesy A flicker of familiarity Assurance of a sanctuary - How I love this place! In the glass, the liquor The clink of cubes Frozen like my soul. Fizz fizzling out Like my dreams!

By oneself, in twosome or in groups Men sit, talking, thinking, brooding Staring into space like Refugees in a transit camp. On the wall, behind the glass Fish swim listlessly.

How comforting, this asylum Where I shall sink into A transient oblivion!