My Almosts

1.
You were drunk.
I was naive.
You were older.
I fell for your charm.
You took advantage.
Too bad you’re going nowhere.
You could have been great.

2.
We had a blind date.
You brought flowers.
I stayed blind.
I forgot to see that we were awful together.
You’re a stupid ginger.

3.
You caught my interest.
We saw a bad movie
and giggled together the whole time.
You put your arm around me
in the uncomfortable movie theater seat.
Bad kisser.
Too short.

4.
We got hot and heavy.
Nostalgia stuck around for years.
You didn’t.
You kept leaving and coming back.
I wanted you so badly.
I loved everything about you.
You didn’t.

5.
We bonded.
We had things in common.
You made stupid jokes
and I laughed sincerely.
We picked out kids names
and wedding colors.
So close...


6.
We met at work.
I was loud.
You were shy.
We took it slow.
You treated me with respect.
We made a solid foundation.
You never let me go to bed angry.
I might marry you.
Almost.

Oh, Cinderella
you terrible influence

you talk to mice
and sing to birds

you lose your shoes
and run in halls

you ride on pumpkins
and steal from sisters

last, not least
you married a stranger

I kiss the tender sun
each dusk,
and nestle it in the
red rust dirt.

It sinks at a hazy pace
until it unveils your day--
my whispers and prayers
quietly lingering in its beams.

The rippling, colored light
will find you.
Will lift you.
Your sleep-laden lashes.

One day, I'll no longer need
this fiery messenger to whisper
"Good Morning."