Once popping crackling
flashing

now burning down
to an orange ember

soon to be spritzed
followed by hissing

then sputtering
what just happened

we had so much
promise

whit howland © 2021

I am the deep, the sky in reverse
I have what you seek, for better or worse

I am the blue of infinite depth
I've swallowed the crews and cleared the decks

You are afraid or maybe intrigued
Of the place where you played and also was freed

Kiss me now like you did before
Give me your vow and the ocean is yours.

the sharp pull of yearning,
like the wisp of a spring breeze
with a tail of slight cold,
like the light step of infatuation
meeting the deep sweep of desire.
bitter sweet,
like oranges eaten in the dark.
the tang in that cut on your lip
slices into the sweetness of your breath.
it’s like drowning in june,
the way i’m obsessed with you.

Why is the bus so bright inside?
Clearly exposing the man sitting at the back?
Making a hard left turn in front of me. Incandescent, I see a man finishing sun-flower seeds,
And looking through glass, and my rolled-up windows, my avoidant eyes make contact, then I realize...he is me. Traveling on a slow-soul-train to downtown or whatever it may be, eyes lock for a moment and I wish him freedom.

i've decided:
i don't like christmas without you