Sushi Bar
Ginza, Tokyo
Sitting next to me
The Japanese Gastroenterologist said
“I could make much more money working in America, but cannot take the food.”
Thinking for a moment
Taking another sip of my sake
I said
“I fully understand
Japan’s outstanding cuisine
Has also ruined me”
The Gastro then said
“I’m doctor
Eat
Drink
I pay”
My car broke down today
Received
A high interest
Payday loan
No catching the bus
The mechanic
Will get paid
I work
For a dollar more
Than minimum wage
Scared
Lose sleep
About becoming homeless
Only a couple lost paychecks away
Eat no name can or box dinners everyday
I’m told
To put money aside
For my old age
Not in prison
But
Trapped
In a cage
Snip Snip
Snip Snip Snip
The barber
His shop
Located on a luxury avenue
Some wealthy patrons
Would discuss a stock or two
No ordinary conversation mind you
Just juicy
Trading knowledge
He was privy too
Blue Chips
Small Caps
Bull Markets
Bear Markets
Decades gone by
Never married
Diligently
Investing every extra cent
Watching his portfolio
Climb up to the sky
One day
The barber died
Accumulating a sizable estate
No family
No close friends
No one knew
No one to give the money too
Snip Snip
Snip Snip Snip
Craps was the game he played
Once a month
Took a round trip flight
Lauderdale to Nassau
Carried his cash in an old bag
Stood most of the night
At the table
Sometimes won
Sometimes lost
His demeanor
Always stable
Just a way to unwind
The game
Cleared his mind
Walking gravel road
Hot thirsty totally lost
Followed by thin dog
Late night
Walking cobbled streets of Prague
Had one too many pilsners
Met a street performer
On the corner
Done for the night playing his violin
After an hour of shooting the breeze
I asked my new friend
Why is it that you are so at ease?
He replied:
“I play for spare change
I’m the only one who needs to be pleased
Some people call me lazy and completely crazy
But
Too much ambition would no longer be fun being a musician
I accept who I am
No need to try to be on top of the highest mountain”
Some place
Central America
Woke up soaking wet
All through night
He sweat
Looking at mosquito net
Got up
Walked down to the sea
Rendezvous
With the señora
She asked
“Is everything ready?”
Symbiotic relationship
Based on greed
Both tangled together
In the weeds
He is her token gringo
Because he always succeeds
Complicated
Dangerous
Game
Living under an assumed name
Continues playing
Only himself to blame
Put it on the bain marie
May not eat for another century
Spent winter in Romania
Hung out with vampires from Transylvania
Full blood transfusions made me live forever
But much crazier
Worked my way over to India
Met a snake charmer who was even zanier
He gave me a worn copy of the Tao Te Ching
Went home to Miami
Every day for one month
Sitting on the beach
Reading all 81 chapters of writing by Lao Tzu
No more luxuries for me
Decided to pawn off all of my bling
To this day for no reason
When drinking coconut water
Start to sing
The Star Spangled Banner
Oh say can you see
Numerous shrinks unable to help me
Bought old wood sailboat
Went off to sea
Made landfall here in Tahiti
Really enjoy your company
Please pour me some more tea
Had a moment that day
Decided
To throw it all away
Purchased
One way ticket
Going
South of the border
Now
Live as a loner
Spending days
Fishing
Drinking ice cold Coronas
Belly full of polo, ensalada, rice, beans
And
An occasional Senorita Bonita
Dressed in tight fitting jeans
Tokyo room
Shared bathroom with thirty people
Saved Yen for sushi
Hot night in Bahia
It was obvious she was hurt like me
Well into our bottle of Argentinean wine
Ana moved forward in her chair
Pulled back her hair
Looked directly into my eyes
Started to cry
Without saying another word
She took my hand
Led me over to the beach sand
and
Made this man feel young again.
You say you’re Jet Set
Daddy took bribes got fat
Moved clan from hellhole
Princess parties Miami
Shanghai, London, Monte Carlo
Around 6am
Tsukiji fish market
Sushi Sashimi breakfast
Washed down with Sapporo Draft
Chilling with fishmongers
This Gaijin had a blast
