Wildwood Crest

Came home late.
We saw Elizabeth, danced,
got a little drunk and walked
down the shoreline two blocks
to Spencer Street.

The boardwalk was shutting down,
ferris wheel turned off, so all
that green neon was blinking out
until we saw just beach and waves
rolling in the moonlight.

We crossed the sand, the boards,
then back to the rooming house.
Ricky had the first-floor single
and a motorcycle.

He looked like a city gypsy
angel with that gold earring
flashing in black hair.
He touched my back, put his tongue
in my mouth, but my eyes didn't open
until he kissed my ear.

I ran upstairs scared to feel
that alive, thinking just two hours
to breakfast shift, and I still
have to wash my uniform.