a journey 
into trouble’s far reaches 
unbounded 
by ethical restraints 
a cigarette in her lips 

in her purse 
a dangling participle 
and lavender 
to dab behind her ears 
for the gentleman in black 

come hither 
written on her lashes 
fluttering 
in the smokey corners 
of the forbidden zone 

skulking shadows 
appear and disappear 
on the walls 
their comings and goings 
portending pandemonium 

the cigarette 
a smoldering ember 
crushed 
under her stiletto heel 
the gentleman in black 

Bio: Michael H. Lester