Talking Eyes

Above the murmurs in this congested hole
Above the acrid smell of beer and cigarettes
Above the occasional grunts from the passed-out drunk,
Above all are the talking eyes.

Winking eyes telegraph messages across tables
A man’s smiling eyes declare intentions at one end
A woman’s submissive eyes seal the deal at the other
Five minutes later, they both walk out hand in hand.
Couples tables apart but eyes together.

One from a table across chats me with her eager eyes
‘Do we do business?’ the eyes invitingly ask
‘Am broke,’ mine reply
‘I Can’t even afford a cheap lodging room'
‘Go to hell!’ her eyes glare back
‘No money no business’

Her eyes then rove the bar for better eyes
Better money talking eyes.

©2011 Otiato Opali