in the bar, after hours, full of promise

February 1, 2010
This was as exercise on setting in Creative Writing 238. From two lists, one of times, places, weather, the other of mood or atmosphere. The exercise was to select from each list and to suggest the mood by the setting. My selections compose my title--"in the bar, after hours" and "full of promise."


Stale smoke in the grand mirror
embraces bottles yet to be opened.

The clink of a coin in the jukebox
signals a change of rhythm.

Balls click click in the rack;
another game begins—

last call lights
constrict pupils,
but your eyes
are wide open.

This woman on the stool
beside you
couldn't be more beautiful.