A Romeo's Comeuppance
Coming toward young Tony now
it’s the husband and his wife,
the older woman from last night,
the one he danced with New Year’s Eve
while downing Heinekens and shots of Jack,
the one he didn’t know was married.
She told him he was tall for just 16
and that he danced like Fred Astaire.
But now it’s noon on New Year’s Day
and thumping off young Tony’s face,
the husband’s fist strikes a note
truer than the band last night.
Falling backward like a slab,
Tony sees the golden halo of the sun
swirl until it disappears.
Later on the gurney, Tony never hears
the doctor give the nurse his diagnosis,
“a Romeo’s comeuppance, not to worry.”