We would shake hands in public but embrace
in private the kitchen counters I’d pour myself
a purple punch. Slung ear ice. Not much music
from the grass but songbirds chatter refrigerator
hum. My speedometer reached a hundred barren
roads leading to summer rooms. Fingerprints
everywhere. We touched everything tortillas
knobs ladles. We even touched each other’s
faces, then inhaled.
(originally published in Ginosko Literary Journal, 2021)
In darkness I will squeeze
to keep my hold on you.
In light I will bottle
the glint from your eyes.
I will keep it
in my pocket
and know the warmth
is ours.
Over time it will become sand:
an hourglass in which will keep
the deep, ancient secret of the ocean:
love has no boundaries which cannot be breathed
(originally published in White Ash Literary Magazine)
we rode bikes laughing
the sun pedals woof wild
index fingers pointed mountaintops
hiking heat in flip - flops
canopy games spilled blue ink
blueing the vodka pool
on your knees you told me
it was too early
you like to be teased
That was
all we had.
(originally published in S/WORD - Issue #5)