Leaving Eden

smoke wafted toward the room filled with music
it was possible to breathe
to see
there he stood
near the bar
one arm hung over her young shoulder
near her bosom
close as a scarf tossed round her throat
in just the right skin tone
his fingers tangling over her breast like
soft puddling fringe
time was still
memory fluid
like Jacob's ladder connecting heaven and earth
did Jacob keep secrets?
did Ariel, Gabriel, Michael and Raphael
arc angels all, keep secrets?
perhaps only mountains and fields remain neutral
silent
nature may be the moment when it is realized
that a man's secret is a burden too heavy to carry
"Hello" spoke his vibrating chest
"Well, this is Las Vegas" his response echoed
"No, old friend" spoke conscience
"It's the lonely night journey to the soul.
you once owned the Nile
today you own the question and the answer
you own the experience
you own your own exodus
from the Garden of Eden"