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The unforgiving frost
and cold, and
the unrelenting electric heater
have dried out my hands–
scaly–like dragon’s claws
which I keep firmly
in the flesh of your back, until
the first sign
that spring will return

Sun-kissed

(2018)

On the grass
up in Westchester County
Arlo sang about Alice
and I wanted to put my head
in your lap
but we were friends
and we were with friends
not sure yet if we were a thing

Still watching one another
others in our view but seeing only one another
We were sun-burnt and heart-kissed
And something was born like comfort or love
That I had not felt before
a mutual vibe that transcended
a parade of charlatans
touching me and meaning nothing

Everything I had learned about love
and loving up to then–false and misleading
so I’d stumbled through the clubs of
1985, nothing wrong and everything offered
back seats and hotel rooms
hot sweaty hands up
a rainbow of silk shirts

Arlo kept singing and I kept forgetting to listen
lost in what was happening
Some kind of new life starting
my skin red and angry
lips red and asking
your hand seeking mine out
in the jeep on the way home

Monday random: new year

• Every purse I own has a pen, notebook, and a peppermint (at least one).
• Our New Year’s Eve was quiet. We watched television and movies, and had snacks. We went to bed at 2 a.m.
• I woke up today at 8:30 a.m. That’s good for me.
• Breakfast was at lunch time and mid-afternoon we ate nibbles, and watched a movie, The Sting.
• Dinner will be late, rigatoni alfredo with chicken for him and shrimp for me, a real treat I do not buy often.
• I have mentioned how I am trying to organize the apartment to make it work for us.
• Every time I reduce our stuff, someone gives me more stuff.
• My neighbor wants to give me a bed for the extra room which is immeasurably helpful, but there is not enough room yet for it, so it has to wait.
• She is also giving me an antique desk, which means choosing one to give away, or repurposing it.
• It is really beautiful, and has many drawers.