I was just thinking
of kisses
& a red car
& the feeling of
my hair laced
in your fingers.

& I was thinking of summer—
of thunderstorms
[making your eyes wild
& your grin wide.]
I thought of
Eightthousandeighthundred&fourteenmiles;
& of fourteen hours & what
a difference they make
[when I live as you sleep,
& I sleep as you live.]

& I thought of the magic
that gives me a
sight of your face.
even though an ocean &
washingtonidahomontanasouthdakotaiowa&illinois; keep us apart.

I thought of your hands on my face
& lightning over a soccer field
I remember safety & danger
Fear & peace.
& pondering upon prickly beards
& words [so often unspoken]
being birthed.

&

Smiling, I missed my train stop.

Falling in love
               with you is like
waking up to bright yellow,
             peeking through sky blue curtains,
warmth caressing  
streaming hair on a soft pillow.
         It is subconscious smiles from
                 lulling visions & the murmur
of loved ones in the living room on Sunday.
         Loving you is the wafting scent
                  of your favorite blueberry pancakes
                           & the crackle of meat on a griddle,
        the peace of an afternoon
                      surrounded by loved ones—
                                 half-awake & still dreaming.