snapshots of
fish globe faces and
Kyoto dreams, and
the dancing bear
i didn't show you
because I am shy
(even if you don't believe me)
and thought
i had already shown you too much
bar menus make
the perfect bookmarks
we drank whiskey
me trading four roses
for bottom shelf
heaven
but you ordered up, you
knew the good stuff, you
didn't have to be taught it
hanging out under
hanging plants
you blushed
when asked about
yourself
surprised, even after
I told you I was searching
for spaces with faces
but you said you liked
tour guides
and when we talked about
the places we wanted to be
i noticed neither of us mentioned
happy
you looked away from me
when you said you didn't like
to think too much about yourself.
i have a GPS, who doesn't these days,
but you circled the block anyway
when that traffic light separated us
which i thought was sweet, and when
we arrived at Honky Tonk Tuesdays
you hit the ATM, "every little bit helps
put him in the ground,"
and the emcee mentioned
his union buddies were all dead
as we sipped on $2 PBRs,
and danced.
i told you i had no rhythm
but that i used to sing, and you,
who used to read, both
getting harder, these days
and tarot was like art,
it doesn't promise a future, it just
makes you think of everything
in a new way.
the first time i met you
i told you i took one Addie a day
a silly line, my cousin had put me up to,
and when somebody asked
if it was
the instant hit
or the extended dose
i looked you in the eyes
and said i'd take the short kick
but wanted the longer thing
if given
the chance.
you said you didn't like
to think too much about yourself
which felt ironic
as i overslept my welcome,
awake all night because
you were all i could think about.
***
