It was
winter
then too
Southern air rang
cool with the
promise
of jonquils as steam
rose
above the heated pool and
your eyes drifted ‘cross
my collarbone, counting
pearls
in drops of water on my skin
You always have one foot out the door.
Pitiless olives bobbed
sharp
against my tongue
clambering to
safety
up the slope of glass
while beyond the
fence, sisters
yowled
to life the pale bumps
that scarred your golden arms
Even when it’s not there, I feel it.
Did you know?
How could you know?
All the doors
the many doors
All the years
the many years
All the men
the many men
And all
the hands left
unstretched
the paths left
unblocked
the exits left
Open
When
Stay. Please stay.
might have
closed
them
All of them
Forever
c.sdmrogers 2008
