there's a spring in Cleveland's step

When I left it was raining and I carried
my leopard-spotted umbrella the rest of the afternoon,
silly with anticipation,
dirty piles of snow
lay stubborn on the North side
basking in 60 degrees,

beads of perspiration traveled down my
breasts,
I ached to hold your hand, as lovers do, the
imprint of our bodies churning into the sea,
I wanted to kiss the side of you
closest to the sun,
the wind was playful, brushed my hair across my face,
strands were damp with heat

later that evening we talked about Jewish settlements
in the heart of Jerusalem a vice-presidential embarrassment,
we talked of right and wrong and why fear is a pitiful excuse
to hold a people hostage when power is not balanced

still later you sang to me a duet with Elaine Paige, though your
voice was still a little rough when you were gone
and I was afraid, we create memories,
after all, even five hundred miles away

your tongue split my heart wide open
we were naked inside the space all lovers go
no matter how far the breath, you ask me
if I can feel you as I climb into the sunrise

There is no sparrow that can ever be faulted for his melody.


~A