navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #32 » Frankie and Johnny "Just Jewels" (Duet with ThisDiamond)
Open Poetry #32
Post A Reply Post New Topic Frankie and Johnny "Just Jewels" (Duet with ThisDiamond) Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

0 posted 2004-05-16 02:04 PM


The lamp of the street light casting a soft glow
while the dampness of the evening brought a
chill...He knew this place, their place was
waiting for the telltale sound of click, click.
Heels, holding gorgeous skyscraper legs,
carrying her seductively toward him.

Lighting a smoke, he waited patiently, for this
prize was well worth a century of standing alone
on this corner.

The curve of her hips bent the street light
Into hourglass against his imagination
Her mind wandered along his lapel,
curving her ruby tipped fingers as she
withdrew a little smoke of her own from
the velvet that swayed at her shoulder

Molten echoed in rush across his ears
as she simply said..."Got a light, Slick?"

Caressing his ears like a mink glove,  reaching
casually into a pocket,  sliding gently over a
derringer,  carefully,  gingerly a Zippo appears.
The deft one handed maneuver of his fingers
flicking open the lid and the flame appearing
simultaneously,  he reached toward her cigarette.

Their hands lightly touching as the flame swirled
in the breeze, lightly lifting a skirt to show a
calve that men would, and probably had died for.
"Sure Toots,  whats ya name?"  as the lighter
deftly disappeared back into his pocket.

"If I told ya, that would be cheatin'," she said
with a grin. Her halo of white smoke made circles
in his brain, a bit more vacant space than he ever
realized was there.  

They stood silently, absorbing the electricity in the air,
until finally the static moved along her
silk stockings causing a cling of hem that riveted
his wandering eyes as she turned an aloof
shoulder.  "So Johnny", she said in a throaty voice,
"Just what kind of trouble could a good girl get into
on this corner?"

His voice took on the stammer of the chill that
unconsciously ran along her neck as she awaited
his bristly retort.

Suddenly,  the temperature seemed to have raised
about 20 degrees, as smoke came from his ears,
his brain swirling in an attempt to remain casual
and in control of this dame.  Knowing that he must
show her that it was he who she came to,  not she.


Flicking away the dwindling butt into the sewer
drain,  shuffling a foot casually toward
a polished toe,  he lightly touches her foot with
his own....   "OH,  I don't know", he said
casually,  controlling the pitch of his voice
watching those dark and gleaming eyes,  knowing
this dame was very practiced and could not easily
be swept into his arms,  let alone....his bed.
"Depends on just what she might see before her,
wanna get lucky?"

The flutter of her eyes spoke volumes without a single
sound from her moistly pursed lips.  "Well Johnny,
I am lucky", she responded.  "The question is, are you?"

All the self control he attempted drooled down the
corner of his closely shaved neck...reminding him
of the silken feel of those hands.

She turned on her heel, and stood there looking
right in his eyes. Witness to the lump in his
throat that just reverberated under the weight of
her stare.  "Sure is warm tonight Johnny", she
purred.  "We should find a way to cool off."
  
Speechless,  knowing he had met his match...
the swirling winds suddenly adding to the chill of
excitement coarsing his veins,  he stepped
forward,  slipping an arm around her waist,  taking
the lead,   they walked into the darkness of the
night,  the rhythmic sound of her heels echoing a
staccato with the hammer of his heart....

The night was young and luck was in the air.  He flipped
a coin, catching it ....noticing it was heads....Yes,  tonight
would be a lucky night.

Checking his pocket watch as they walked a bold
block or two, he opened the warehouse door, and reached
in just past her silhouette to click the lights.
Stretched out in rows lined up the iceboxes, and reality
checked with a bold black smart!

"I told you I wanted the white one Johnny" she responded
evenly past the red smudge of lip outline and bobbing curler...
And Johnny knew right then, he should never have beer for dinner.  



© Copyright 2004 Barry J. Tackett - All Rights Reserved
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
1 posted 2004-05-16 02:36 PM


I don't think I've ever seen a story/prose done in a duet before....wow! This must have taken quite an effort!

You two blend well!

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2004-05-16 03:27 PM


Wow!  This was fabulous...the atmosphere leaked out of the computer into my room.
Susan
Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104
walking the surreal
3 posted 2004-05-16 04:01 PM


This is sooo 40's, it oozes Bogie and Bacall. I felt as if I were reading in black and white. Well done.  And what an ending--

Smiles -- susan

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
4 posted 2004-05-16 04:07 PM


Brava!! This is incredible writing!!
It seemed to be something right out of Guys & Dolls...
and I was also waiting for someone to say..
"Play it again Sam".
Amazing concept carried of expertly.
Kudos to two of Passions finest!
~Smiles, Hugs & Cheers to you both, Nancy~

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
5 posted 2004-05-16 07:01 PM


Thank you for the comments....

Writing this was actually a battle of the
sexes....as you can see,  (clearing his
throat)....(again)....  (again)...

I can't do it...  I will not admit that she
won!!!

Thanx K. for the adventure,  yes Bogey
and McCall certainly came to my mind as
we put this together...  I think Bogey
always won???

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
6 posted 2004-05-16 07:08 PM


A toast to you Bogey...

Such smiles and laughter brightened my time spent with a good friend, writing the higher ground (heehee)

Always fun to stretch the imagination, and an easy task with such a accomplished writer as our Dear Magnus.

Thank you everyone for your comments, and hope you smiled as much as we did.
TD

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #32 » Frankie and Johnny "Just Jewels" (Duet with ThisDiamond)

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary