Once

Once I waited and watched

while the rising sun fleshed the edges

of your sleeping shoulders

Once I was left wrecked,

listening to torture of your boot heels

departing into the morning

with a disheartening clock

Once I sampled the beer on your breath,

mingled it with my own

Once I whispered words

into the soft cup of your ear;

I never told anyone else

but myself

Only once I tasted you

and was surprised by the sweetness.

 

Once I thought I would be able

to rise above the ruckus

Once I felt the regular click of my heart

and convinced myself it was coming dawn.