TROUBLE AT THE SACRAMENTO DOUBLE TREE BAR
—Michelle Kunert
I went to the Thursday night Salsa dance for "singles"
at the Double Tree Inn bar
but I wonder if the motel name means where it stands between,
as in the ones in the beginning of the Garden of Eden,
or even closer yet to that infamous tree of knowledge,
being as there were men I got inspired to say to—
look, if you're already married,
what are you looking for here?
If you think you want me as your mistress,
you better be smarter and richer than you are
I said, so please get far away from me
And I thought of asking back what I did pay to leave
not virginal but I still feel used as did Eve—
the first to protest in the world that nothing is fair—
so I am wary of anyone who offers me a drink.
Also immigrants will serenade you at the Double Tree
whose stories sounded pretty much sound like
"I just got to meet that special American lady
and need to get naturalization papers
and then I can bring over my family"
as if love naturally came with green cards, or rather tarja verdes.
Even the fat, middle-aged Mexican who stepped on my feet
'cause he failed miserably at Cuban rumba:
Frankenstein thought he had a chance on me, even slim as it was.
Walking out on a dance with a man old enough to be my dad
I met an East Indian who works for Intel
who was also tired of the floor of rhythmless zombies.
I said "My, you're handsome like those Indians who are TV stars,
almost kind of like those musical opera movies I've seen."
My flattery made him laugh
But I didn't expect to get Mr. Wanna Be Karma Sutra—
After sharing a friendly game of pool and a beer
his hands that suddenly took mine felt almost like ice,
hands that maybe got hired for playing an engineering counsel like a sitar
simply didn't get any warmer as they got worked up next on my body
"You are really getting tense right now..."
As if he were lecturing like Deepak Chopra on spirituality.
I warned him the rule in America for ladies you just met
is, Hey you better not touch any parts you ain't got!
That turned him off, and Lord! was it hard to finally get an apology.
I felt I must've asked for that kind of trouble
from biting into the bad apple that I didn't even pick
but fell rotten to the ground from the Double Tree.
________________________
Thanks, Michelle—I love Michelle's takes on the Sacramento singles scene. Yikes!
This weekend:
•••Sat. (12/9), 7 PM: Poems-For-All’s Second Saturday Series features Other Voices: Thoughts from Sacramento's Left Bank; Poets read from the new limited edition set of handmade books from the Inclusionists. Poetry by the late Gene Black, as well as David Wiley, Leah Levine, Rachel Savage, Laura Llano, Be Davison-Herrera, Carol Gilbert-Wagner and Maggie Bowen Brown. That’s at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Info: richard@poems-for-all.com or 916-442-9295
•••Sat. (12/9), 8 PM: The ILL List III: A Poetry Slam Invitational at the State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. This event will feature 10 nationally-renowned spoken word artists, many of whom have previously appeared on HBO's Def Poetry Jam. Through three rounds of original poetry, poets will match metaphors and battle rhyme for rhyme on their quest for $1000 in cash prizes! Randomly-selected judges from the audience, using Olympic-style scorecards, will award points to poets based on the strength of their poems and the quality of their performance. Audience members are strongly encouraged to root for their favorite poems, as cuts will be made after every round. Cheering, yelling, booing, hissing, whistling, and good-natured heckling are welcome and expected. Admission to this world-class literary boxing match is $15 for general admission, $12 students or $50 for front row, reserved seating, $30 second row, reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thestate.org or at Salon Deville and Day Spa, 226 McHenry Avenue, Modesto (Cash-only location). Info: www.slamonrye.com or contact the State Theatre at (209) 527-4697.
•••Sat. (12/9), 3-5 PM: Patricity's In Spirit & Truth Series: featured readers plus open mic. 61 Yuence Smoked BBQ & Grill, 9657 Folsom Blvd., Sac. (off Bradshaw). Free. Info: 916-361-2014.
•••Sunday (12/10), 6 PM: Manzanita poetry and prose reading held at the Barnes & Noble in Weberstown Mall, Stockton (Pacific Ave. and March Lane). Hosted by Poets Corner and Barnes & Noble, this event will feature readers who have poems published in the literary journal, Manzanita (#5). Open mic.
•••Also Sunday (12/10), 2:30-4:30 PM: Poets on the Ridge Open Mic at Juice & Java, 7067 Skyway, Paradise. Info: 530-872-9633. This event meets on the second Sunday of every month.
•••Monday (12/11), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents Mendocino County Poets Teresa Whitehall, Linda Noel, and Devreaux Baker. HQ for the Arts, 25th & R Sts., Sac. Info: 916-979-9706.
How is it I want you once again
now that I can't have you anymore?
Your place was a mess
as you threw your stuff on the floor
and I found out that in bed
you were like when I asked you to dance
as you'd prefer to roll over and loudly snore
I had to remind you I wasn't your mother
but you said I had to take you as you were
It made me finally decide to walk out the door
but you changed that all for another
as if somehow she is better?
But I know I need to get over it
or I will live forever in this pain
—Michelle Kunert, Sacramento
_______________________
Thanks for this one, too, Michelle, and for helping us continue this week's rather cynical ruminations about love.
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)