In life, you brought laughs
and relief in tense moments.
You traded me tobacco
for ***** and friendship.
You died this week. I’m sad
for your loss, but I have not wept.
I still hear the humorous timber
of your voice, and I remember
the way you let things slide.
That’s your gift. The memories
of our chuckles together
dissolved my tears.

-Ron Gavalik

After a passionate night,
she asked me to drop her off
at the job. I pulled up to the curb
and watched her step out
into the drizzle. I gazed
at her hips as she strolled
to the door, but the car behind me
blew its horn. The reality
brought me back to Earth.
Our date had ended.

-Ron Gavalik

I’ve always preferred women
strong enough to not give the finger.
In a world of ugly cowards
and beautiful charlatans,
the dames who stroll by
with good posture,
they really got it
where it counts.

-Ron Gavalik

Strangers often ask what I do.
"Writer," I usually say, but that
**** isn’t the truth. If what we do
is defined by how we spend
the bulk of our time, then what I do
is sit in a soft chair with a stain
on the back cushion. I stare
out the window at the hillside.
Sometimes I ponder and reminisce.
Other times I don’t.

-Ron Gavalik

If you want to know
where to find the gambling,
ask a bartender.
if you want to know
where to find Jesus,
ask a prisoner.
If you want to know
where to find love,
ask yourself.

-Ron Gavalik

I sat on the porch
in my underwear
around the time the neighbors
drove home from their jobs.
I smoked an acid 60 gauge
and sipped bourbon
from the bottle. I waited
for something worthy
of my pen to happen.
It never did.

-Ron Gavalik

I loved you
until I didn’t.
That’s how it goes.
I’m sure the answers
are out there to be plucked
like cherries or heart strings,
but I have none of them.
Leaves fall. Hearts break.
Whiskey is swallowed.
That’s life.

-Ron Gavalik