To Be Alone.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

and then he said
at the party that night
at the veranda
overlooking the fronds
where
two lovers are kissing

'i hate it here' he declares
drinks more glasses of
hard liquor
drunk, 'but why am i here
still? ' he looks at me

i have a drink too,
'perhaps, you have to leave
since you do not like it here? '
the logical me speaking

'i am staying' he is tipsy.
' i hate it here that is why
i am staying', quizzical
idea

'do you like to die?
jump over this building
and be gone', deep inside me
but how can i tell him?

i am still strong
and i want to be alone.