for JÁC

Tuco watched in the mirror
as the kid walked in, ordering a double
even before he slid onto the stool.

Tuco kept to himself
but he was always interested, watching,
and he saw the kid sit there staring at the bar,
order another double and sigh,
scratch his head, pull at his lip.
Then he noticed Tuco looking in the mirror.
“Women,” he said, “Women!”

“Listen, Jack,” Tuco began.
“You have to pay attention.
What I’ve learned in forty odd years is
nothing is ever settled with a woman.

As long as she’s in the room
nothing is settled.
As long as she’s talking
anything is possible
and nothing is certain.”

Tuco sat and looked into that mirror
and then he said, “All you can do
is be in that room
listening just as hard as she’s talking
and talking just as hard as she’s listening.”