a drink and a nod

tarnished bullets rip jaundiced flesh
saddled with dark immigrant guests
while leaving more and taking less
the half full glass bemoans the test
the jesters spin and shake the nest
granting giggles to the masses

filling golden pots to overflow
the fat wall street jaywalkers go
to peddling their poison of indigo
scattering widows along the rows
swept silently down the manholes
wink to their looking glasses

all juiced up on adrenochrome
temples topped in golden domes
the silicon valley paved with bones
stealing children from their homes
captured on their cellular phones
dancing at their black masses

as pale white faces check the date
of finding out that it’s to late
the bronze key broken in the gate
crimson tied to a chameleon mate
now they understand their fate
and the fire never passes

Robert Filos is an author of poetry and short stories that combine beauty and wit while highlighting social justice issues. Published worldwide his poetry received over 40,000 views in 2017. Born and raised in The Bronx, he now resides in the South Carolina Low-country with his wife and children. He can be reached at rfilos63@gmail.com. Read other articles by Robert.