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Keep The Porch Light Burning

David J. Thompson

Saturday night and I’m all alone,
like a million Saturday nights before.
I’ve got some foreign films to watch,
a 12-pack of Miller Lite, a big bag
of multi-grain Tostitos, and a jar
of habanero salsa.

First I put in this old Italian movie
called Wild Rice. It’s pretty good,
you know, that neo-realist style —

black and white and depressing as hell.
By the end, my mouth is burning
from the salsa and there’s a bunch
of empties on my coffee table.

Then I start watching this French movie
called La Verite that I pulled off the shelf
at the library. Brigitte Bardot stars, and
even though it’s getting late and I’m old
and now pretty drunk, I am mesmerized
by that hair, those lips, those curves.

There’s a scene where she shows up
unexpected at her ex-boyfriend’s place
in the middle of the night. Soon,
they’re making love on the floor;
I’m squirming on the couch. Next
they’re sharing a cigarette, and
I have to pause the movie to catch
my breath. I realize I need to pee
and grab a fresh beer real, real bad.

On my way to the bathroom, I flip
on the porch light, and take a look outside
hoping to see Mademoiselle Bardot coming
up the steps, but, no, there’s nothing to see,
no sexy visitors for me again this Saturday night,
just like all the others. As I turn to shuffle
down the hall with my bladder bursting,
I decide, though, to keep the porch light burning,
wonder how rusty my high school French is,
and how much Bardot likes beer and chips.

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