In Nashville

The aging country music star makes his comeback

every night at nine. His jokes are ethnic

and he kisses nervous housewives on the cheek

between numbers. They blush like virgins.

Just to show how upright this fun

is, he brings a real one-

Daddy's little girl-into the act. He flirts

and bends his face for her to kiss. What

could be more innocent than that?

While he sings his countless tears,

he counts on theirs.

Couples dance too close for strangers.

If his songs are true they'll leave this place

together, be good, get another chance.

The married ones won't divorce.

At tables outside the spotlight, folks look on

in pairs, in groups, and all alone. |

The hostess serves another round of bourbon.

Someone wonders how the darkened room

appears by day. Someone tilts toward home.

Travelers feel this is the town they come from,

forget who waits with radio turned low.

They tell secrets they won't know tomorrow

when they wake, tongues dry and raw.