Meat Raffle Sestina

Father Seamus holds outstretched arms
to offer a blessing over the bingo cards and the frozen
meat. The rectory, next door to the VFW, awaits, warm
and inviting, his house/spouse but he’ll take just a kiss
of scotch before he goes, thank you Myrna dear. Red colored
blush rises in her face, he’s so handsome for a priest! He’s gone

before she can think of a flirty reply. Gone
are the days of suitors and Saturday night dates for her. Arms
reach wildly for the best bingo cards, colored
bingo stampers grabbed from the bar by hammy fists, the frozen
meat packages present an exciting array on the table. A kiss
for luck from Betty, the caller, for those who want one. “Warm

your hands here, Annie!” Eddie pulls up his sweatshirt, warm
belly thrusts toward her. He smiles, a few teeth gone,
“Later then, eh?” he winks, then blows her a kiss.
Eddie has tattoos of naked women on both arms.
Annie smiles, red-nailed hand gripping her beer, hair frozen
from gel and spray, two hours getting ready, lips colored

with Satin Yearning Pink. Arnold, beside her, has colored
his card in a red bingo line and won the round. Warm
applause. Arnold buys Annie ten tickets for the raffle, the frozen
prizes coveted by the bar patrons and bingoers alike. Eddie, gone
to the restroom during Arnold’s shining moment, arms
himself with a basket of popcorn, presented to Annie with a kiss

to the back of her neck. She cringes, only slightly. He leans to kiss
her mouth, she can’t. Yet. He has dark colored
stains on his sweatshirt, under the arms.
She drinks her beer, eyes Arnold. The room feels warm.
The choice meats go first, she eyes the table, the steaks are gone
already. White packages tucked under arms, stacked on the bar, frozen

promises of later pleasures. Arnold leaves, she waves, smile frozen.
Eddie, drunk, brings her a beer, she gives him a quick kiss.
Not that bad. Now nearly all the meat packages are gone.
One of her numbers is called, she hands the colored
ticket to Betty, “Jerky or hotdogs, you choose, Annie.” Warm
from the beers, she allows herself into Eddie’s arms.

The bar patrons and bingoers gone, the bright colored
VFW sign outside frozen in her mind, Eddie’s kiss
sweet and warm, there in her car in his arms.


Mary Ellen Seidel
3/20/2002