The Zoo Bar

By Olivia Klein

Melodically, methodically, the stage lights

make him shine. He revels. The Strat slung

around his shoulder sings, sings, screams –

he is seen. He is hurt. Bruised on his heart,

not enough to bleed, but encores are enough

to heal any man’s ego. His core composition -

gaggles of girls twirling hair hoping he will notice.

He notices. He forgets, ultimately, bottles in both

hands, hands made for G-strings and salty dogs.

There is a zoo in this bar. He is the main attraction,

in a haze that helps the star emerge to his celebrity.

But stars all face the same supernova fate -

He decays. He disintegrates. He disappears.

Olivia Klein is a student at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Olivia has previously been published in the Write Launch Literary Magazine in their May 2021 issue. Olivia spends her time writing poetry, singing songs, and loving her cat, Otis.