Lonely Duet

The bar is nearly empty

The rains pour in buckets on the outside world

And the fear of getting wet

Will keep even the heartiest of drinkers

Locked away in the bay

The bargirl strikes a secret conversation

With the barback,

Talking low about hatred for a fellow employee

Not too much is happening, not too much to see, but

In the corner sits a small rise,

Which serves as a stage

On top are duet,

Man and woman,

Who sing old covers — mostly slow dance songs

The woman has a soft and alluring voice

And the man holds his own,

Working away at the keys of an ancient Korg keyboard

It’s a bad turnout for them,

And I hope they don’t get paid by the headcount,

Because their meals and a few drinks,

Would put them in a hole

This night is a complete bust,

And the drinks taste as watery as the outside world

But at least I have a drink for a companion,

And that’s more than can be said,

For the old-time cover duet

Who’s music seems to be falling on deaf ears,

And one very big and lonely dance floor

© Dicky J Loweman 2015