That is all that he had asked for

                                                                                                 Attribution: cyclonebill

Image: Toasted rye bread with smoked 

potatoes, mayonnaise and chives (here)

The given words:

lingering toasty palate fresh hints

sex tends subtle mix yields soul

The lingering toasty taste of a

simple toast on his palate

That is all that he had asked for

Fresh from being rescued

from the jaws of death

when he was found in the alley

That was the last he remembered

when he was  on the way

back to his hotel

With no hints of the impending

mayhem he was caught in the

cross-fire between rival gangs

This was their fight for territorial rights

to control the booze and sex trade

It tended to be a subtle mix 

They were providing a relationship
to that of providing a service
It was creating a business with
yields far beyond the related risks
with law enforcement

Even though he was knocked

senseless he overheard their debates

now stored in his subconscious

Should he tell the police of their

plans or keep silent to cover his butt

In his sorry state of soul searching

he was still debating!

For Brenda's hosting at Sunday Whirl #187 and
Mary's at Poets United's Poetry Pantry #227