Two Appliqués

If the greatest of these

is charity

then tell me again

why it’s gauche

if this young man

in a booth at a bar

dives under the skirt

of the farmer’s widow

smiling across from him.

 

There he will find

what he’s after

and get that big kiss

before driving her home

through jackhammer rain

and flying with her

through the windshield

making a turn.

 

Now they're a legend,

the talk of the town,

emblazoned forever

for pickups to see

as two appliqués

on a viaduct wall,

their Rorschachs

bright red,

whatever their ages.

 

 

Donal Mahoney