a warm summer night
breathed a tangled youth
along her skin
& an old familiar ache
that could never be
eviscerated

a few acoustic lines
cleverly crafted as they sat
side by side
on the old store shelves
the silence in between
chords
amplified the desire
& all that to this day has been left
unsaid

he stopped playing
a sudden thought swept him over
she becomes tense
the wait begins
what can he say that I will
forever replay in my
troubled mind?

he leans in
a deep breath

"you smell lovely."




a frequently uttered phrase
that should have no meaning
but she'll carry it with her
until she's withered
& wasted
along with all those messy
perfume bottles


play it again
please