floating and leaving no trace
sweat sticking to my neck
like some kind of glue
the only thing
adhering is
the waning heat of
this summer evening
as with the night
so too the season
but there will
be flames ahead
we creep slowly into
fall like we’ve
forgotten to let go
of summer’s hand
while autumn waits
on the doorstep
checking her watch
the beautiful immediacy of your hands
compels me to remember how cold they were
that first time i took one in my own
and we initiated a transfer of body heat
from my palm to yours
as if my blood sang a song
and your heart sang
the chorus at first
and then the harmony
until we were the same temperature
more than halfway to school
the path slick
with a half-hearted
california frost
the front tire turns
just the right way
to stop the bike
i slide
sideways
not as graceful as a luge
and turn, tumbling
i feel the knees
of my pants rip
chewed through by the
asphalt that seemed
smooth and icy
but was just a disguised
set of black teeth
when i stand again
my palms and knees bloody
both hot and cold
i wonder if i should turn back
or press on, muddy and damaged
i do not remember now
what i chose
Words and Feathers 