n e p e n t h e m e

he said he had come from the Cafe Nepenthe.
friend, do you know what nepethe means? i asked, half startled, lurching a little with the late night bus.
he shook his head and leaned toward me winningly, i'll remember you as Nepenthe Girl if you tell;
i nodded and grinned with loaned wolves teeth, the bitter taste of a fair fated trade,
then bless me, forget me, and be still.

***