Try Harder
Try harder to make me believe That you aren’t on my side. Tell me again that you hope I find happiness, Implying that it can be found Without you.
Tell me again that we connected On some ethereal plane, Souls colliding, But that it’s to serve a different purpose Than to bind us to each other.
Tell me again how much you like the Status quo.
And how I should, too.
To My Former Future Lover
I slept with you again last night. As usual, You were fabulous.
The dreamy whisper As the scent of my hair Danced playfully across my pillow And into your nose Started it all.
Then I felt the bristles Of what I imagine was your Day-old beard Tickle my throat – Each one an ambassador.
The best part was your hands. I’m partial to strong, calloused fingers And palms as wide as the back of my head. I gave those to you as a gift to myself, So as you press me to you I know I’m protected.
Back when you were an actual Future lover, one that might find the scent Of my smoky hair distasteful Or the warmth of my neck suffocating, The pressure was more than I could bear.
Now I summon you whenever I want, Never reigning in my expectations of you To avoid tainting reality. This way, you’ll never let me down.
By the way, I’m free again tonight.
Royalty
Look at the towering aspens On this frigid December day. Their frosty tops, like the heads of A whole colony of ancient royalty, Are gray and fuzzy like Self-inflicted permanent waves Gone mad.
Yet they still seem regal in their Sameness and their Solidarity.
But now, the low-skied morning sun That was causing curly twigs To glow as if with silver crowns Has instigated a grand melt.
Even as we watch, the crystals that Decorated them and Named them as Kings and Queens Have begun to weep And seep down their limbs.
Eyes made wise by years of reigning Stare from trunks Refusing to blink the tears Out of their lashes.
Instead they let the fresh new water Run down each wrinkle and crack Toward its loam-blanketed destination.
Because, With each liquid offering Poured on throne steps, Renewed strength to Rule another season or two Comes alive. |