it's a bittersweet symphony (this life)

or carousel at the carnival, horseback, eating

sticky pink fluff, sweet and insubstantial

all beautiful in the sunset

(but don't let the clowns catch you after dark)

and the sights and sounds of a month can swirl together

flavors of vanilla and chocolate and licorice (which i don't much like, the bitter smack of disappointment)

and how do you separate them all but by savouring the lingering flavour and distinguishing?

the swoop of dancing, a belled skirt twirling around my legs in a brush of silk

coy smile over my shoulder breaking into a laugh

(i can't be sexy to save my life)

the sensuous ridge of collarbone under my hand

crisp Dove-soap cotton against my cheek

and i lean there in the slow song, lingering in the warmth

and connection and rhythm

the little things, the birds chirping in the last crisp morning before the heat

sway of bluebonnets in wind, spoon slipping into creamy flesh of yogurt

dog grinning half-cocked, tongue out

the dreamy gleam in certain eyes when fiancees come to mind

the warm weight of a child asleep in my lap, silk hair falling over my arm,

rocking her and myself to sleep in a classroom nursery

the bitter chocolate emptiness of crying out until the makeup raccoons me

the heartache of decisions and wondering why i'm never quite good enough for you

and wondering, knowing you love me but not feeling it

frustration of people not listening or trying to understand

the flavours of life, the taste of change, the sound of heartbreak, the sight of sunset

mingle, tangle, struggle

white-robed glory and cloud-clothed pain kiss

and beneath it all the broken, steady heartbeat of love