Illusion Of Her Fear

Illusion Of Her Fear
© Surazeus
2024 08 17

The tall blonde woman in scarlet skirt suit, 
whose short hair curls outward from her rose cheeks, 
aims pistol at the devil in black suit 
who lurks in shadow of the starless night, 
fires bullet at illusion of her fear, 
then laughs at weird absurdity of truth. 

Striding boldly with graceful nonchalance, 
Regina enters dim Palm Court jazz club 
where Emery Deutsch plays wild violin tunes, 
then sits with regal grace on velvet throne 
at most exclusive table in the house, 
head crowned by tiara with seven rubies. 

Surrounded by his burly entourage, 
Mike the Bull Balzano, in pinstripe suit 
with red silk scarf around his bull-thick neck, 
claims empty seat across from steel-eyed queen 
and orders steak to win her icy heart, 
but she ignores Manhattan Hercules. 

While John Coltrane plays tenor saxophone 
with holy melodies from rainbow spheres, 
the Proud Bull tries to woo the Ruby Queen 
with diamond necklace gleaming serpent eyes, 
but she rejects his proposal of marriage 
with slight dismissive wave of her left hand. 

Just as the taunted Bull snorts through his nose, 
poised to grab her arm with arrogant rage, 
Detective Angelo Kelly appears 
with warrant to arrest the gangster king, 
but the Bull dares the young gumshoe to try, 
taunting him with vile insults as he sneers. 

Bright moon gleams in tall window of the club, 
casting glow on face of Regina Roland 
whose eyes glitter with serpentine respect 
that Angelo grins calmly in tense silence 
when the Bull aims long pistol at his heart 
where he hides pure wings only she perceives. 

Sharp pistol crack rings loud in silent club 
that startles everyone with shocked surprise 
when Mike the Bull Balzano scowls aghast, 
drops his pistol while clutching at his chest, 
then topples on the table with hard crash, 
gasping with amazement at his defeat. 

Parking his black car on Park Avenue 
before tall mansion among maple trees, 
Angelo opens door with polite bow, 
yet Regina, wearing long mink-fur coat, 
pauses to smile at warmth of his green eyes, 
then plays piano in her empty home.