we made our way
down south
by car
by touch
rubber
& mouth

then on a day
(like today)
with its booming
skyline

the only explosion
i felt
was yours
& mine

the palette was
simple
zero red
zero blue

just cold brew &
sweet cream

the finale
clear-eyed
& flesh-draped

we smile
at the sound
of distant
crowds

a holiday of
shame
transmuted
(for a moment)

into a celebration
of that good good pain