man cast in the role of
former neglected shelter dog
that just wants to exist
in the same space that you do,
lean into the soft palm
of your hand when you
cup his cheek
man cast in the role of
darling bardling, dressed
in bright colors, lute in hand,
plays until his fingers bleed
and bows with the strings
stained red, again and again
man cast in the role of
cowboy, once an outlaw,
now just wants a rocking chair
on a front porch next to yours,
twists forget me nots into
your flowing hair, and his bum
knee hurts when it rains, but
that’s okay
man cast in the roll of
pirate, married to the swell
of ocean waves against the
sides of a weather-beaten ship,
rum in his flask and sea salt
wound into long beard and longer hair,
jolly roger flapping proudly in the wind
man cast in the role of
court jester, lover, clown,
once a fool always a fool,
for the rum and the vodka and that
cheap beer that makes him think
of you
won’t ask what you two are
when your hands brush just so,
but will smile to himself and take
a pull from the bottle in the
same place your lips once touched