We sat together on the concrete step,
Some mutual friend or acquaintance sitting opposite;
Your head on your knees, eyes closed, facing me,
Arms wrapped around your denim legs
"So," they said,
"Are you guys still together, or what?"
Or some such ham-handedly innocent question,
Equally absurd
I laughed; you smiled without opening your eyes
Then I reached out and stroked your cheek,
So tenderly, wistfully,
As if you were sitting still and cold
Instead of just still, and replied
"No, we're"--
And here I can't remember what I said we are,
But it was quick, and dry, and witty, and heartbreakingly perfect
Summing up this equation that equals zero
You smiled, and I smiled, and our mutual friend or acquaintance
Looked puzzled;
Which must be how I looked when I awoke
And couldn't remember what I had said
In my somneloquence,
Or why I still dream of you.

01/15/2005

Posted on 01/15/2005
Copyright © 2025 Jon-Jacob F Deal