The Beginning... Poem by RIC BASTASA

we try to link drinking coconut wine
with merry making
specifically, alcohol has a way of
numbing sorrow and making happiness
sprout like mongo seeds from
the sack cloth wet with water
it will be cold but the warmth in our
smiles shall start the fire
what next can we do when sorrow
leaves us?
just say it, perhaps i may oblige
for like you i am in deep mourning for i
have lost a part of me
many years ago, sort of saying, sentimentally
that i am incomplete and hopefully
after this drink and another drink
you may see that i am so empty and needs
to be filled again

do not kiss me yet, my mouth is full.