Plush Revisited

Ah California you are as plush as I remember

your rolling hills and your silver slip of ground fog

your tea gardens, and your willful taxes

your sunglasses name-brand and blue tinted

nothing ever seems to steal the bud

from your rose

Not even age and the absence of myself

the rub never seems raw from your satin

the blush never fades from

your chardonnay, sipped in long-stemmed crystal

that rings out in perfect F major

when your lazy finger runs around the rim

You know when I knew you, before

I dreamed of your wine-tasting, your book signing

I dreamed you were Athena, sprung forth

from arrogant thigh, spear at the ready

now I think you are more base than that, something

of strings and glitter rather than steel

Perhaps you really are

plush as the new tattoo lies just under the skin

plush as the seasonal berry tastings,

sweet as a pressed-apple cider

plush as the orgies and trysts I imagined

plush as your satin, that never rubs raw

Not even age, or the absence of myself

could tarnish my want for you, the mute gold of your hills

the rough grain of your mountains and graying pine

oh, your plush, the soft beneath me,

your sand and waves and the way you roll

I’m hoping this time, I don’t dream of you

I dream with you.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is such an experience...love it.
reminds me of the Summer of Love in 1967 and California Dreaming...
on a winter's day....and Scott mackenzie singing "San Francisco wear Flowers in your hair"
if only we could go back...but just like the disappearance of the gold rush days...
extinction of the 49'ers....all good things come to an end...as did the movements, peace marches...
City Light's Books when Lawrence was still in full swing.
thanks for this journey.
j.

[JR]

You bet. California and I have a complicated relationship lol.