Bitter Beans and Water
Two scoops, an early rise,
Roasted beans and water.
Twelve cups, two mugs
Bitter beans and water.
Tinkling bells, jostling coats
“Good morning, Frank!”
Had he heard the news?
News, news? What news?
Well, sit a while, have a cup
Two scoops, a stove,
Roasted beans and water.
Ten cups, two mugs
Bitter beans and water.
Shuffled paper, scraping boots
It was a terrible night, did you know?
Heard the sirens way out here.
Sirens? No, the sheriff? The big red engine?
Yes, yes, both of those.
Two scoops, a cigarette,
Roasted beans and water.
Eight cups, two mugs
Bitter beans and water.
Clinking mugs, a creaking chair
He’d left the dial turned all night
That rickety old stove, it filled the house
That’s what they said, had to be
An accident like that.
Two scoops, an accident
Roasted beans and water.
Six cups, two mugs
Bitter beans and water.
Tinkling bells, jostling coats
“Margaret? You’re here?”
The disbelief rang high, surprised.
Well, of course she was,
Just like every morning.
Two scoops, a change
Roasted beans and water.
Three cups, three mugs
Bitter beans and water.
Murmured questions, shuffling feet
Hadn’t she been home? Of course!
But how? It’d been blown by fiery propane.
Surprised, what now? Can’t be
The way it is.
Two scoops, one lie
Roasted beans and water.
No cups, three mugs
Bitter beans and water.
Tumbling words, a soiled excuse
She’d spent the night away.
No matter where, but who was home
To fill the void in her husband's bed?
A burnt crisp woman, a Jane Doe.
Two scoops, two lies
Roasted home and water.
No cups, no mugs
Bitter beans and water.
Tinkling bells, jostling coats
Who was the woman, other?
“Have you seen my Sarah?”
Well, no, when’d she leave?
Last night to call on Margie.
Two scoops, two lives
Roasted homes and liars,
No cups, no mugs
Bitter truth and water.
Quiet tears, silent prayers
The story’s all out now.
Sarah died last night, my dear
Sleeping with another, terrible
Accident old chap, a fire or —
Two scoops, bad lines,
Roasted cheats and water.
Old cusps, bad love
Bitter beans and water.
This post was originally published on Vocal.media
