A GALLON OF RED WİNE

As I fled from you, barkeep,
All roads led to you, frostbitten night.
Do you have wine left from autumn?
Pour me red and cold wine, dear barkeep.

Would it quench the fire in my chest?
Don’t interrogate me, barkeep—
Let the meze be plenty, and let the burn be red.
Let the ache not sit still in my heart as it does on the plate.

Do you keep secrets, barkeep?
Open the red-bound book—no commas, no delay.
Let me tell of the love that drained my life away.
I’ve waited long, but the love in my heart never came.

How many wounds has Alibaba borne in his soul?
Pour me a gallon of red wine, barkeep.
Draw the curtains so none shall see,
Let no one see me cry, nor whisper that I did.

Red wine in my glass, now stirred with tears.
I drifted into dreams tinted blue, barkeep.
Play the violin as I sip your sorrow,
I belong here now, write that down, barkeep.

What I thought true turned out to be lies—
Lies in word, lies in soul.
Close the book of love for me,
For neither loyalty nor truth remain
Among the people I once knew.