Chanel 5

( a femme fatale )

I only wanted to be of
pleasurable service in the world,
wafting through the spas, and
bedrooms of movie stars, lovers
and international intrigue.

But the pandemic,
in its flush of counting bodies
and taking names, brought
circumstance down to the
lowest common denominator.

I’m a sociable mindset that
brought light to haunt depths
both day and night, no matter
how close or corrupt.

A slender silhouette of scent
moving sly among the crowd
without precaution between
my arched look of menace,

and COVID 19’s indifference
what you don’t believe will kill you.
Yet I’m still the more fatal
of the two after cabin fever.

When the next spike hits,
and it will, no matter
distancing on the beach,
or the yacht strung with lights
a mile out from the marina,
where the party has already
begun below deck.

I regret I won’t be attending,
but that won’t stop you.
I regret that as well.