TRAVEL POEM

 

 

 

John lives and works in West Palm Beach after relocating from New York City. He is currently completing a collection of poems about Palm Beach and south Florida. He has written a novel Guardians of the Secrets and is occasionally published in literary journals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coconut Ball

 

From Joe’s gator farm now The Everglades Club

Flagler’s Whitehall and The Breakers

From the Pink Lady Colony we walked around the corner

to Worth Avenue’s Taboo lost glitz and pre-party revelers

White-tuxedoed with red carnation boutonniere

At the bar your ordered a martini and hamburger

Just grey goose shaken no garnish

Before the upcoming mythologized Coconut Ball

A ritualized fraternity of 25 gentlemen (the organization)

Once the most coveted New Year’s invite in America maybe still

Convened by bachelors to pay homage to rich matrons

Now less about class and more about money

You to be honored to give an eagerly awaited speech of knowing

Then we stumbled to the party jungle festooned

The ocean washing the shore memories to forget never know or lost

Holiday cheer still lining streets but gone afraid of midnight

As the New Year arrived on time

When you mounted the podium

And the big band silenced from playing Charlie Parker

With little to say when nothing needed said

Ladies gusseted in one-of-a-kind couture evening gowns

Tomorrow to be at the Church Mouse thrift shop

Never to be worn a second time except by others

And so taking the podium clearing your voice before le beau monde

The ballroom quieted expecting to linger on your every word

Thank you for coming.  Have a good time

That was it no more needed said

Not knowing many people I sat at a table and smoked a cuban cigar

Sandwiched between a dowager empress and her lesbian cousin

Toying with a matron’s young granddaughter exquisite in Balenciega and pearls

Watching designated guardian as you danced away late into the evening

From woman to woman each wanting you and your money

As the band played Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman into morning

Later I carried you back to your mansion on the beach drunk

Butler rushing the front door feigning worry seeing it all before

Did you have a good time? you asked

Putting you tuxedoed to bed removing your

Silk slippers embroidered with skull and crossbones

Tucking you into down pillows covered with duvet

Yes the speech was wonderful I said