ten friends were invited

to a wake of sorts

before richard’s partner died

he threatened to haunt him

from the grave

if he did anything less

than take 10 friends somewhere

fabulous

with the insurance money

so he did.

the casa was a three level

ten bedroom

house on the beach

south of downtown

winding balconies

wild, fragrant vines climbing the walls

a gate that opened up

to the sand

and an azure pacific

a pool

a housekeeper

a cook

a houseboy who made sure’

the margaritas were served

on the dot, at 4:00pm

dolphins danced in the waves

sleek dawn soldiers

announcing the day

and at sunset

they’d perform their finale

escorting  day’s end

out

with colorful blazing skies

and a dolphin lightshow

the pool was clear and warm

where we lay,  naked

 no windows blocked the views

from my upstairs room

the ocean breezes snuck in through shutters

crept around open doorways

coletus and jasmine on its breath

richard is gone now too

only four of us

are left in these

human skins

to remember this adventure

cinco de mayo

me and the boys