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