Life begins quietly this evening
I wonder around my head
as eyes absorb the outside world
the orange street light
dances in the blue twilight of the hottest recorded day this january
(Iwonderhowtheicecapsaredoingtoday)

small stars sink into city light of texas
painting momentary stillness with
a glimpse into another galaxy’s sun

even while i keep smoking
the cigarettes parents pray I have quit
my body reaches into wisdom and contentment
but this feeling is foreign
and the realization brings anxiety.

I try to gauge where I belong in all this moving quietude

Golden afternoons sift in my palms
My lover is searching my pockets for skin
and I have no clue where to begin
so the smokey lungs reach for blood
start with the freckles then the stretch marks then the scars
See where your fingers find home
And we’ll discuss the reason fate has brought you into my arms this night