Ben Nardolilli: Lonely Radio Playing

DANSA OR BALADA


Lonely radio playing,
Lonely hips swaying, I see
Loneliness through
The open window sill.

Am I so alone?
Am I so by myself, that I
Am content
To imagine she imagines me?


TO THE SOMMELIER

I am not looking for anything that goes with fish,
    I know what goes with it, saltwater,
And the most perfect companion to cheese is bread,
    For dessert, I only need a cup of coffee,
You keep speaking to me about hints of this and that,
    Speak clearly and directly instead

I am not looking to be accompanied,
    And certainly not by a glass,
Or even, if I was a generous friend,
    By a bottle,
And no, I am not looking for you to be a friend.

But then you ask me if I am looking at all,
    Yes, I need help in distilling this menu,
All I really want to know from you,
    What is the best way to be knocked out of my seat
And make me not care I am grounded still?

Editor's Note: These poems appeared in a previous issue.

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Ben Nardolilli currently lives in New York City. His work has appeared in Perigee Magazine, Red Fez, Danse Macabre, The 22 Magazine, Quail Bell Magazine, Elimae, fwriction, Inwood Indiana, Pear Noir, The Minetta Review, and Yes Poetry. He blogs at mirrorsponge.blogspot.com and is looking to publish a novel.