Vacation

 

Had it been a one-night stand, it would have been perfect

Stars performing drunk the first act of the new lovers’ ballet

Waves arching their backs, easing down mild

Release constraint, never see me again

Had it been a one-night stand, it would have been perfect

He packed his clothes dirty in gray multi-piece luggage

A few seashells, rolls of film, postcards that were never mailed

We boarded the train,

He held my hand

With fingers intertwined like rope

Consequential stranglehold of my animation

I knew his middle name

Came up over Eggs Benedict

Sign of encouragement when racing through fog

I had watched him sleep

Kissed softly the dry lips that twitch when touched

Slid my fingertips along next month’s regret

“This is her!” he exclaimed

Fraudulent smile acquaints myself with folks and friends

Drank alcohol pastels with umbrellas out of habit

While he told stories colorable and swollen and consummated

Did the silent smile when he mentioned, “Her” with the glance of a smother

Consented to and rescinded my fragment of his fortnight

We made love each night, followed it with scrambled eggs and toast each morning

He kissed me before his days started, before I set out in search of…

His life continued as it had before, as it would

I stood watching, sipping my ice tea, amused and humiliated

I stood silently, smiling

Because it demands less effort than consumption

“You’re a blender and a chess set and a wool glen plaid scarf,”

I told myself

“You’re in a nice box with tissue paper and no receipt,” I told myself

Thinking that I’d rather be a photograph or a diary entry

I dragged the week underneath my life

“Don’t collect too much dust”

Reviews

[Chris]

This both held and (for me) described the "quality" of settling - for company, mainly as companions. Some would seemingly enjoy some moments while nearly tolerating others - all to bear the grind as an ultimate chameleon.

You've a style and depth of view with something to say. And a way of pausing me - twice now.

[Deborah Hamilton]

Thank you to both of you for your kind comments! It's not my first attempt; I've been writing for numerous years and have been published in small literary journals which have gone under, as well as an independent newspaper in Chicago. I'm still attempting to find a literary agent to represent all of my work (mostly essays [both literary and satirical], short fiction, poetry, a memoir, a comic strip, and a smattering of other things).
If either of you are interested in regarding more, please let me know. And, thanks again!

[Matthews Reggie]

This work will stand in my mind for much more than a night... Simple but fanatbulous.. And if it is ur first attempt... BRAVO!!!!!!!

[Holly]

Wow, I like the cryptic form and simplicity of it all :) Very interesting poem :)