Synthpop at the Moon Tree

From the window of the Moon Tree,

the marina is desolate—

a glum fairy tale with a solitary gull

poised to flee.

A police boat and whale watching

tour arrives, more guests

than would be expected today.

We sample tapas,

eavesdrop on a first date.

He’s an author,

questions spirituality,

says if it’s real, then it must be

the same for everyone.

She doesn’t say much,

laughs politely here and there.

You start mouthing to the sounds

of a synthpop tune, and it’s too funny.

I laugh for several uncontrollable minutes.

Later, I tell you

the whale cruise

offered me a job once.

You ask why I turned it down,

and say we should

pretend like it’s our first date

the next time we go out, just for fun.

Except, of course, the polite laughing.

© 2017 Jennifer Wagner