Love Poem: Spanish Fly
William Coyne Avatar
Written by: William Coyne

Spanish Fly

. for public domain

A folded, yellow lined sheet of legal,
taped to a railing of chipped red paint,
caught my eye as I stepped down the stairs
from a Lower East Side dark street.

A note from our ancient Chinese landlord?
A scrap captured from chaffing winter winds?
A secret message from a foreign spy!
A Dear John letter hastily written

by my betrothed on her journey to Spain.
"I need to find myself, and a better
life, a rich suitor, a seaside villa.
I still love you! Take Care! Good Luck! Good Bye."

I unlocked the door and fed the cat, Jack,
nibbled a sandwich of honey ham and rye,
peered out the window at heels passing by.
Go all you, and wither! Die in God damn Spain!

A knock at the door, "I missed the last coach.
Can I stay here with you? Is that alright?"
I got out spare blankets. "You get the couch."
"43's in the pantry. Put out the light."