The Resident Guest

Jennifer Elliott • March 22, 2024

The Resident Guest


Shuffle, shuffle, tiny shuffles

Flat feet, tiny shuffles,     

     penguin-walk with bulky shoes.

San Francisco

Luxury hotel

     Resident guest

        at valet parking.

A very old man

wife dripping designer,

Saint Laurent cape, inside out-

              label exposed.

“Where is the car? My husband called.”

“Yes, Ma’am. It’s on its way.”

In it splashes, bright

  shiny red         

 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

DMV plates taped to the window

Used car, but new to him.

      Old man. Old money.

Car turns off.

Valet hands the keys.

“Thank you.”

   “My pleasure.”

A very old man, once

tall

now bent over.

Shuffle, shuffle, tiny shuffles

Flat feet, tiny shuffles,     

      penguin-walk with bulky shoes.

How will he drive?

 Is he able?

Is it safe?

Wife gets in – wine bottle in hand,

    a birthday gift for host.

Valet closes door.   

      “My pleasure.”

A very old man, once

tall

now bent over

     gets in sports car seat.

How he manages, I’m not sure.

Vroom, crackle,

barks the car.

    Catching the nearby motorhead’s ear.

   He puts it in gear.

Old man – Oh wow!

    Look how 

    he goes

 a red streak on Market Street



Jennifer Elliott

Copyright 2023

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