Spring in a Suburban Neighborhood
by Allen Williams circa 1995

As the afternoon retreats.
I pour a glass of Dom Perignon champagne
as the sun shines rainbow patterns on the wall
through the sweet amber liquid.

A hummingbird drinks nectar from the flask
hanging outside the bay window
darting back and forth while at times still
frozen in mid-air.

Flowers on sills, fences and lawns
line the street and rise
rejoicing in the afternoon sun
to track it's tonic rays of light
nourishing their green leaves.
Splashing in splendor.

Filling the air with the wondrous fragrance of springtime.

Cars start lining the street as gentlemen and their ladies
dressed in suits and gowns are greeting their friends
with smiles, grasped hands and laughter.

As the newlyweds approach the driveway
they are saluted in a shower of rice.

The happiest day of their lives is unfolding
as they are consumed in the bliss of love everlasting.

Involuntarily my champagne glass nicks the index finger of my left hand
and falls to the floor spilling it's liquid onto the carpet
where it saturates the very fibers
seeping deeply into the pad beneath and disappears

As my life, the bottle is empty.