French Mussels

She ran away
With a fireman
In a Volkswagen van
Red and tan
California Gypsy-girl

He lived South-of-Market then
Shot high-contrast-black-and-white photos
For group shows
In small side-street galleries
And wore black leather with white silk shirts
From Hong Kong

She and her fireman came
For a late meal
Of mussels from a market on 24th Street
Steamed in white wine with butter and thyme

The mussels opened
Revealing the soft double-lipped
Peach-hued bi-valve within
Rimmed with dark flesh
Like an outline drawn by a soft brown pencil
Making an exclamation point

In the morning they were gone
Leaving only a lingering taste
Of briny mussels
And sweet white wine