Transaction in a Restaurant

She moves like temperance among the cups

And hungers, beautiful as Never Sir,

Each sultry afternoon more undefiled.

Kind only to old men, her hostile gestures

Are vehement and silly like a child's,

And inculcated as a party face,

And unsuccessful men not senile yet

Insinuate but pay her five fine wounds;

The season's tallest lecher fingered morose

Forgiveness in his pocket, slightly smiled,

Then with unnecessary violence threw

Down the necessary few small coins,

And saved again his arrogant hurt face.

Structure

13 lines · 1 stanza