On Reading Love Poems

a human heart reaches for connection
however brief, out of solitary exposure
a bridge emerges from the mist.
we set foot on uncertain boards
without any sense of purpose
the curtain stirs in the heat of promise
not the safe tomorrow, that never comes
“she loves me, she loves me not?”
why ask?

14th Year in Cherryland

In the summer of their 14th year
that warm endless summer in Cherryland Park
his steely blue jeans melted 
against her soft brown corduroys like hot metal magma

pushing her hard into the fresh cut grass
exciting her allergies
causing welts up and down her naked suntanned arms

Red lacerations, later to be explained away with

                     I dont knows

Absentmindedly itching the swelling cross-hatching's
until they bled
all the while thinking 
of his tongue
and how cold it felt in her mouth

Given Enough Time

there are fourteen crossings
between here and there
pick one, just one
you will, of course, regret your choice
you always have,
given enough time
we all do,
given enough time
but today is your lucky day.
this you will remember
until Thursday becomes Friday
by the weekend your joy
will begin to thin and
the face in the mirror
will question certainty itself