You breathe

the instant your bike slid on to the hot
summer sidewalk, your gentle hands on its
handlebars, your heels accenting the tick
of your turning wheels —i paused for a breath

whirrrrrrrrr, click, click, click, click

i exhaled sharply between my pursed lips
at the polka dots dancing on your red
dress, your auburn hair pouring down, and your
slender legs, creamy white marble columns

do you mean phoo, it's hot, or phoo, I'm hot?

your words halt my legs, and I pause beside
you and sharply inhale the thick night air
the ribbon of night is pulled taut and wide
i meet your green eyes; I swallow and sigh


i mean phoo: you're hot.

you do not smile but arch an eyebrow and
bring your bike and the whirr of your wheels and
the click of your heels to a halt under
the silence of moonlight and you whisper:

i have a boyfriend, and he is awesome

i do not wince; my mind is ensnared in
the folds of your frock and the tension of
your lips and the glint in your green eyes and
inhale once more and manage to blurt:

name three things that make your boyfriend awesome

you bite your lower lip, and your eyes
lift ever so slightly. in the space you
scan the shortrises around you and look
for three reasons your boyfriend is awesome

he's tall. and very good looking. and he makes a pretty decent mushroom risotto.

your face is relieved and you smile but i
ask you why none of your reasons are that
he loves you. and who gives a shit about
mushroom risotto.

you breathe
in
then
out.