“Monte Carlo - 1970” by Bob McAfee

Monte Carlo - 1970

Well, you’re where you should be all the time

and when you’re not

you’re with some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend – 

     “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon  

I see the back of your head

seated at the baccarat table

in the high roller section

leather clad blonde at your elbow

resplendent in your black tux

you are losing every hand

it is late summer

you wear a white dinner jacket

pulling up to the royal palace

in your 1959 Oldsmobile convertible

the valets scrambling to serve you

driving such an unforgettable classic

there you are

in your tennis whites

playing doubles with the princess

on the red clay of Monaco

the sun beating down

as you miss the winning volley

I remember the back of your head

driving along the high corniche

wearing a blue blazer and an ascot

looking down at the yacht basin

brunette settled in beside you

laughing as it begins to rain

later, aboard the Christina O

moored at Port Hercule

Ari and Jackie waiting in the salon

I see the back of your head

as you lean over the fantail

puking your guts out in the saffron sunset

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Bob McAfee is a retired software consultant who lives with his wife near Boston.

He has written nine books of poetry, mostly on Love, Aging, and the Natural World.

For the last several years he has hosted a Wednesday night Zoom poetry workshop.

Since 2019, he has had more than 90 poems selected by over thirty different publications.

His website, www.bobmcafee.com, contains links to all his published poetry.