Each note in my ears
conducts an orchestra of memory
a rush of blood
from my heart to
my head
I remember
my summer of love
making
The King of Carrot Flowers in California
his stubble- cactus needles
rubbing my lips numb like *******
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window, in Michigan
her hair a brambled bush
tangled in my fingers
******* for the Holidays, in her bed
her body like going home
each time "the last, I swear"
Every Little Thing She Does, in her car
trips to the playground
where we explored like children
and
The Communist Daughter, who set me free
the feeling of forever
my hand in the small of her back
as we danced in our underwear
to Waltz #2
I remember lying
on blades of grass
as hot air balloons
fell into the sky
stirring her algae eyes
my mouth dry and expectant
I knew exactly why I had to leave.
The Southern State
called me nightly
when I heard the train
shouting my future.
So
I rode her to Chicago
with Tom Waits
on my smoke breaks.
From Chicago to Dallas
I wrote poems of
"true love"
"****** obsessions"
"surprise thoughts"
***** singing
'1. 2. 3. 4.' in Chris's guest bedroom
her boyfriend calling
we whispered promises
of a future before
we kissed goodbye.