Jan Petersen

In Milt's Voodoo Lounge

Ray went down to Lincoln and Third for a couple of beers and to listen to the Dead played loud. He stood at the bar and watched a fat man in a damp shirt try to get close to the sad young girl who smoked French cigarettes. A woman with hennaed hair put a coin in the jukebox and smiled at Ray who said I'm too old to dance . (But too young to die). He took her hand. Redhead and Deadhead danced up a storm. That was before Milt got the karaoke. Hey man, you gotta move with the times he called as Ray walked away from the Voodoo Lounge.

© Jan Petersen

Published in West Coast, North Hill (Flax Books)