awake
in the vortex
you take tea
i take espresso
we write
in a smoke-filled room
you let me smoke in bed
only on sunday
i scribble on the back
of some paperback cover i found
you keep your notepad close to bed
so you offer me a page
i croon, “no, no! it will be
more romantic on the back of this paperback,
AND it’ll be the story!“
you cut me off with a sharp
“ok!”
we laugh a bit
we shoot lovers glances
at each other

the day stretches it’s arms, yawns
the loons on the pond flutter about
we make our way to the café
past the church,
we frequent church now,
if only to save face,
but not today.
another cigarette,
pastry, espresso
i still look at you
like the first time
you pay the bill
paper and coins
i paid our way forever
but truthfully i lost my mind
a few times
along the way

we walk the hills
and take the long stone steps
landing at our chosen spot
in the countryside
we take in some nature
and wait for the day
to grow stale
we teleport
materialize in bed again
we nap
we still make love
like the first time
and it just happens

you wake up
thirsty
i do a little bit where i tell you, “i too know what
it’s like to be thirsty.”
“oh my god!”, you say, smiling with annoyance,
we still laugh
you’re there
naked, perfect
wearing only a bedsheet
pulled to your chest

you watch me
from bed now
boil the water
prepare the vegetables
cooking dinner
one of your favorites
“i’m trying something different today.
i think i perfected it, this time!”
you try it and say it’s good
even though you always liked it
better the way i prepared it the first time
you’re still sweet

everything is repetitive
day in and day out
but nothing ever repeats
because i still love you
like the first time

the day grows longer now
for it’s summer
vinyl records spin
revolving, repetitive
but never the same
we moon-bathe on the balcony
with natural wines
you avoided dying once
that’s enough for me to know
the wine is enough
you don’t have to
babysit me
anymore

everyone’s old,
we visit mostly now,
besides Jordan
who visit us
we keep our corner
of the world
safe
it’s not glamorous
but its something

once i knew myself
only for a life alone
i took pride
to never consume
now i want you to live
forever
consuming, only with you
because even though
everything is repetitive
revolving
nothing ever repeats
because i still
love you
like the fir
st
tim
e.

-

a final cigarette before bed
then you beckon me
by name