I’m in the dentists office
                                                          The metal is scraping against my teeth
                     I close my eyes and go somewhere else.
                      
                     I picture warm sand, and blue waves
                    Criss cross rope bites into my skin
                    As my body see saws back and forth
                    A salty breeze wafts up my nostrils
                    My body is shaded by the tall palm trees
                    In my hand is a cold drink, my favorite
                   The blue tint of the ***** **** reflects onto my hand
                    I raise the cup to my mouth to take a sip
                   My mouth molds around the straw and…

A sudden spurt of cold water is sprayed onto my molars
                                                          I taste blood seeping from my gums.
                      The dentists tells me to turn and spit.

She threw a peanut at my head
She aimed for my back
But her aim was too good
And strength, she never lacked

I remember the night I first held her hand
She gave me a compliment, I gave her a poem
I gave her my hand, and she gave me a hug
And I grinned like a ******* all the way hoem.

Our second date, we watched the sky
Blankets from my friend, about three loads.
We lay there, laughing and talking
I wanted to kiss her, but I froze.

I gave her some words on a post it note
I supposed it a hint for her to see
The ending says I'll kiss her, given the word
My silent cry, saying kiss me! Kiss me!

A friend of mine said I was lucky
He's jealous, because she's a great person
And of course I agreed, because I knew.
That's why I asked her out.

The first thing that pops into my mind
When I think of her is her smile.
Not just her smile, but a certain smile
The one she gives when she cares a mile

It’s scary to open the door
                                                     If you don’t know what’s outside
                                                 But
                      If you take a step back
           And take a deep breath
     Prepare yourself
Take a leap of faith
                                  And COME OUT
                 Of your closet
                You may find things to be
         **So much better.

This is an ode to the Singles
Myself, a prided member
20 long years
of single life cheers
Even here and now in December

This is an ode to not sharing
Any food, or clothes I’m not wearing
I get good sleep
Without sharing my sheets
And I order dessert, without caring

This is an ode to my wallet
It’s always full, in my pocket
To give a gift
Is rare on my list
Except christmas. I’m not that selfish.

This is an ode to my spare time
Something I have that is sublime
I spend it alone
In my little old home
Relaxing with a glass of red wine

This is an ode to my life
It’s been so quiet and nice
But
To go on a date
Would be kinda great
So, hey, wanna go grab a bite?

I wear men's 9 shoes,
and black socks underneath
Batman boxer briefs during morning shifts
And cotton boxers when I sleep
Boot-cut jeans during the winter
and capri joggers during spring
Long sleeve, and short sleeve button ups  
Are pretty much my thing.
My glasses are black, lenses thick.
My hair cut short, just recently dyed.
If I didn't have *******
You'd think I'm a guy.

She's like clockwork
Everyday
6:45 PM
Ding ****
"Can I have an orange?"
I shake my head.
"Not until 7:00"
I respond automatically.
She nods, and scoots away.
I close the door,
and wait for tomorrow.

She sits in her throne
Two wheels sprouting like wings
Holding the seat aloft
And steady
I gaze at her wrinkled face
A tablecloth in my grip
And wait.
Wait for a tune, or a yell
Or maybe even a throaty giggle
But... nothing.
For once, her eyes shine clarity
Her breath relaxed, hands steady.
Her lips move.
"You're doing a good job." She says.
She smiles kindly. A smile one would
share with perhaps,
a young child, or an old friend.  
I stare for a beat longer, finding myself
Speechless.
Who had she envisioned making the table
As I had been? What memory has cleared the
Internal chaos
To procure such kindness brought upon
her lips?
Had it been a memory of one of her
daughters? Possibly her son? A lover?
Does it matter?
The words "thank you" tumble out
of my mouth as I finish making the table.
I look back
At her once more, and watch as she "adjusts"
the table. Her hands are shaking, and a giggle escapes.
I move on.

I leave her empty plate at the table
Waiting for her second arrival
To ask me "Where is my food?"
Her mind skipping, her own inner rival.

"My friend just died a couple of days ago.."
She starts, her eyes on the verge
of wet sorrow

"I went outside with another friend,
and when I came back
she had died."

I nod my head, and rub her shoulder
I don't know what to say.
I just listen

"You know, if God wants someone you
can't stop Him. You can't
tell Him 'No.'"

She looks me directly in the eyes and
I can see my reflection
in her irises.

"No. When God wants someone you
let him take them because
it's what's best."

She breaks eye contact and mournfully
stares at the table,
dabbing her eyes.

"She had been going downhill, and now
she is in a better place but...
I miss her."

I nod once more, and glance across
the table, where an empty place
has settled there.